^^^  ^  ^^^^ic^ 


^^**<^ 


^y^ 


0(5ICAl  SE»^^' 


BX  9184  .A5  W45  1848 
Whitecross,  John. 
The  Assembly's  shorter 
catechism 


THE    ASSEMBLY'S 

I 

SHORTER  CATEC.piSM, 


ILLUSTRATED  BY 


APPROPRIATE  ANECDOTES; 


CHIEFLY    DESIGNED   TO   ASSIST 

PARExVTS  AND  SABBATH  SCHOOL  TEACHERS, 
IN  THE   INSTRUCTION   OP   YOUTH. 

\Ai  \\\\e  'T-^**  ** 

By  JOHN  WHITCROSS, 

TEACHEK,    EDINBURGH. 


NEW    EDITION. 


NEW  YORK: 

ROBERT  CARTER,  58  CANAL  STREET ; 
A\D  PITTSBURG,  50  MARKET  STREET. 

1848. 


PREFACE. 


The  Assembly's  Shorter  Catectisra  has 
been  long  and  justly  esteemed  an  excellent 
compendium  of  religious  knowledge.  To  il- 
lustrate it,  explanatory  catechisms,  and  even 
Bodies  of  Divinity,  have  been  composed.  Pa- 
rents and  teachers  have  used  it  for  the  purpose  of 
initiating  the  young  in  the  principles  of  religion. 
To  contribute  to  their  assistance  in  a  labor  so 
important,  is  the  design  of  the  following  compi- 
lation. 

Having  been  in  the  habit  of  selecting  an  anec- 
dote or  two,  suited  to  the  subject  of  instruction 
in  the  Sabbath  School  under  his  charge,  the 
compiler  was  led  to  conceive  the  plan  of  this 
little  work.  It  will  be  generally  allowed,  that 
anecdotes  and  stories  are  calculated  to  engage 
the  attention  of  children,  which  gained  by  this 
means,  may  be  happily  kept,  while  directed  to 
other  parts  of  instruction. 

While,  from  the  similarity  of  several  of  the 
questions,  it  was  found  difficult  to  prefix  to  each 
its  appropriate  anecdotes,  it  is  hoped  there  will 


IV  TREFACE. 

be  few,  if  any,  aJtogether  misplaced.  Gare  has 
been  taken  to  admit  JlS  far  as  possible,  only  those 
of  4  religious  n&tui'e,  ^hich  may,  with  propriety 
be  related  by  a  pious  parent  or  teacher,  when 
instrv;cting  his  children  oi  scholars  on  a  Sabbath 
evening. 

Though  this  little  volume  is  to  be  viewed  as 
chiefly  adapted  to  the  use  of  pa?en^s  and  Sabbath 
School  teachers,  yet  it  may  not  be  uninteresting 
to  the  general  reader.  The  questions  under  which 
they  are  arranged,  will  serve  as^a  gi^i.de  in  select- 
ing anecdotes  suited  to  particular  circumstances; 
and  something  may  be.  found  fitted  to  pltaae  and 
to  instruct. 

A  few  miscellaneous  anecdotes  have  batn  ad- 
ded, several  of  which  weje  selected  after  most 
of  the  sheets  had  gone  through  the  press.  I'^'sme 
of  these,  it  is  presumed,  will  appear  new  ind 
striking. 

If,  through  the  Divine  blessing,  this  wort  in 
any  measure  serve  the  purpose  designed,  'he 
compiler  will  rejoice  that  his  humble  laV  m 
have  not  been  in  veiin. 

Edinburgh^  July  28,  1828. 


THE 


SHORTER  CATECHISM, 

ILLUSTRATED,  &c. 


Q,.  1.  What  is  the  chief  end  of  man  ? 
A.  Man's  chief  end  is  to  glorify  God,  and  to  enjoy  him 
for  ever. 

The  late  Lady  Glenorchy.  in  her  dairy,  re- 
lates her  being  seized  with  a  fever,  which  threat- 
ened her  life.  "  During  the  course  of  which," 
she  says,  "  the  first  question  of  the  Assembly's 
Catechism  was  brought  to  my  mind. — What  is 
the  chief  end  of  man  .^'  as  if  some  one  had  asked 
it.  When  I  considered  the  answer  to  it,  "  To 
glorifv  God  and  to  enjoy  him  for  ever,"  I  was 
struck  with  shame  and  confusion.  I  found  I 
had  never  sought  to  glorify  God  in  my  life,  nor 
had  any  idea  what  was  meant  by  enjoying  him 
for  ever.  Death  and  judgment  were  set  before 
me ;  my  past  sins  came  to  my  remembrance  j 
I  saw  no  way  to  escape  the  punishment  due  unto 
them,  nor  had  I  the  least  glimmering  hope  of 
obtaining  the  pardon  of  them  through  the  righ- 
teousness of  another."     From  this  unhappy  state 

1* 


she  was  shortly  after  delivered,  by  believing  on 
the  Lord  Jesus  as  the  only  Saviour  of  the  guilty. 

Such  Tyas  ]\Ir.  Hervey's  strict  piety,  that  he 
suffered  no  moment  to  go  unimproved :  when  he 
was  called  down  to  tea,  he  used  to  bring  his  He- 
brew Bible  or  Greek  Testament  with  him ;  and 
would  either  speak  upon  one  verse  or  upon  se- 
veral verses,  as  occasion  offered.  "  This, '  says 
Mr.  Romaine,  "  was  generally  an  improving  sea- 
son. The  glory  of  God  is  very  seldom  promoted 
at  the  tea  table ;  but  it  was  at  Mr.  Hervey's. 
Drinking  tea  with  him,  was  like  being  at  an  or- 
dinance;  for  it  was  sanctified  by.  the  word  of 
God,  and  prayer." 

An  eminent  minister,  after  having  been  silent 
in  company  for  a  considerable  time,  and  being 
asked  the  reason,  signified  that  the  powers  of 
his  mind  had  been  solemnly  absorbed  with  the 
thought  of  eternal  happiness.  "  O  m}-  friends," 
said  he,  with  an  energy  that  surprised  all  present, 
"  consider  what  it  is  to  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord 
— for  ever,  for  ever,  for  ever !" 

A  French  officer,  who  was  a  prisoner  upon 
his  parole  at  Reading,  met  with  a  Bible  ;  he  read 
it,  and  was  so  struck  with  its  contents,  that  he 
was  convinced  of  the  folly  of  sceptical  principles, 
and  of  the  truth  of  Christianity,  and  resolved  to 
become  a  protestant.  When  his  gay  associates 
rallied  him  for  taking  so  serious  a  turn,  he  said 
in  his  vindication,  "  I  have  done  no  more  than 
my  old  school-fellow  Bernadotte,  who  has  be- 
come a  Lutheran."  "Yes,. but  he  became  so," 
said  his  associates,  '•  to  obtain  a  crown."  ''My 
motive,"    said    the    Christian   officer,    '■  is    the 


same ;  we  only  dilTer  as  to  ine  place. — The  ob- 
ject of  Beraadotte  is  to  obtain  a  crown  in  Swe- 
den, mine  is  to  obtain  a  crown  in  heaven." 

CI.  '2.  Wliat  rule  hath  God  given  to  direc'-  us  how  we 
may  glorify  and  enjoy  him  1 

A.  The  word  of  God,  which  is  contained  in  the  Scrip- 
tures of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  is  the  only  rule 
to  direct  us  how  we  may  glorify  and  enjoy  him. 

A  gentleman  travelling  in  a  stage  coach,  at- 
tempted to  divert  the  company  by  ridiculing  the 
Scriptures:  "As  to  the  prophecies,"  said  he, 
"in  particular,  they  were  all  written  after  the 
events  took  place."  A  minister  in  the  coach, 
who  had  hitherto  been  silent,  replied.  "Sir,  I  beg 
leave  to  mention  one  particular  prophecy  as  an 
exception,  2  Pet.  iii.  2.  '  Knowing  this  first,  that 
there  shall  come  in  the  latter  days.  Scoffers.' 
Now.  sir,  whether  the  event  be  not  Ions;  after  the 

o  

prediction.  I  leave  the  company  to  judge."      The 
mouth  of  the  scorner  was  stopped. 

The  learned  Salmasius  said  on  his  death-bed, 
"  O  !  I  have  lost  a  world  of  time  !  If  one  year 
more  were  added  to  my  life,  it  should  be  spent 
in  reading  David's  Psalms,  and  Paul's  Epistles." 

Mr.  Locke,  a  little  before  his  death,  being  ask- 
ed what  was  the  shortest  and  surest  way  for  a 
young  gentleman  to  attain  a  true  knowledge  of 
the  Christian  religion,  made  this  reply :  '•  Let 
him  study  the  holy  Scriptures,  especially  the  New 
Testament ;  therein  are  contained  the  words  of 
eternal  life.  It  has  God  for  its  author,  salvation 
for  its  end,  and  truth,  without  any  mixture  of  er- 
ror, for  its  matter." 

It  was  customary  in  Cromwell's  time  for  his 
soldiers  to  carry,  each  a   Bible  in   his  pocket. 


8 

Among  others,  a  profligate  young  man,  was 
ordered  to  attack  some  fortress.  During  the  en- 
gagement a  bullet  had  perforated  his  Bible,  and 
gone  so  far  as  to  rest  opposite  these  words  in 
Ecclesiastics  :  "  Rejoice,  O  young  man  in  thy 
youth,  and  let  thy  heart  cheer  thee  in  the  days  of 
thy  youth,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  thy  heart,  and 
in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes ;  but  know  thou,  that  for 
all  these  things  God  will  bring  thee  into  judg- 
ment." The  words,  so  appropriate  to  his  case 
powerfully  affected  his  mind,  and  proved  by  the 
blessing  of  God,  the  means  of  his  conversion. 
He  used  to  observe,  that  the  Bible  had  been  the 
happy  means  of  saving  both  his  soul  and  body. 

A  person  in  Birmingham,  who  lived  in  the  neg- 
lect of  the  worship  of  God,  and  of  reading  the 
Bible,  was,  on  a  Lord's  day,  sitting  at  the 
fire  with  his  family ;  he  said  he  thought  he 
would  read  a  chapter  in  the  Bible,  not  having 
read  one  for  a  long  time :  But,  alas !  he  was  dis- 
appointed ;  it  was  too  late,  for,  in  the  very  act  of 
reaching  it  from  the  shelf,  he  sunk  down  and  im- 
mediately expired. 

CI.  3.  What  do  the  Scriptures  principally  teach  1 

A.     The  Scriptures  principally  teach  what  man  is  to 

believe  concerning  God,  and  what  duty  God  requires  of 

man. 

Dr.  Elliot  was  well  acquainted  with  Colonel 
Allen,  a  celebrated  infidel  in  America,  and  made 
him  a  visit  at  the  time  when  his  daughter  was  sick 
and  near  death.  He  was  introduced  to  the  libra- 
ry, where  the  Colonel  read  to  him  some  of  his 
writings  with  much  self-complacency,  and  asked, 
"  Is  not  that  well  done  f  While  they  were  thus 
employed,  a   messenger   entered,  and   informed 


Colonel  Allen  tliat  his  daughter  was  dying,  and 
desired  to  speak  with  him.  He  immediately 
went  to  her  chamber,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Elliot, 
who  was  desirous  of  witnessing  the  interview. 
The  wile  of  Col.  Allen  was  a  pious  woman,  and 
had  in.structed  her  daughter  in  the  principles  of 
Christianity.  As  soon  as  her  father  appeared  at 
her  bedside,  she  said  to  him,  "  I  am  about  to 
die;  shall  I  believe  in  the  principles  you  have 
taught  me,  or  shall  I  believe  in  what  my  mother 
has  tmsrht  me?"  He  became  extremely  asri- 
tated;  his  chin  quivered,  his  whole  frame  shook, 
and  after  waiting  a  few  moments,  he  replied, 
"Believe  what  your  mother  has  taught  you." 

A  worthy  officer,  during  the  war  assembled 
all  his  men  in  the  cabin,  and  stating  the  critical 
situation  of  his  country,  proposed  to  them  the 
contribution  often  day's  pay,  as  a  free  will-olTer- 
ing  to  the  necessities  of  their  country.  This  be- 
ing cheerfully  agreed  to.  he  presented  each  of 
them  with  a  Bible,  desiring  them  to  peruse  it  care- 
fully, adding,  '■  It  will  instruct  you  to  fear  God, 
honor  the  king,  and  love  your  country." 

A  poor  boy,  going  to  a  Sabbath  School,  was 
met  by  a  companion,  who  invited  him  to  play  the 
truant;  but  he  absolutely  refused,  and  went  to 
school.  When  this  came  to  be  known,  the  boy 
was  asked  what  it  was  that  kept  him  from  com- 
plying with  the  temptation?  He  answered,  "Be- 
cause I  read  in  my  Bible,  3Ii/  son,  if  sinners  en- 
tice thee,  consent  thou,  not:" 

a.  4.  What  is  God. 

A.  God  is  a  Spirit,  infinite,  eternal,  and  unchanorcable 
HI  his  I'oing,  wisdom,  power,  holiness,  justice,  goodness, 
and  truth. 


10 

Simonides,  a  heathen  poet,  being  asked  by 
Hiero,  king  of  Syracuse,  What  is  God  ?  desired 
a  day  to  think  iipon  it;  and  when  that  was  ended, 
he  desired  two ;  and  when  these  were  past  he 
desired  lour  days;  thus  he  continued  to  double 
the  number  of  days  in  which  he  desired  to  think 
of  God,  before  he  would  give  an  answer.  Upon 
which  the  king  expressed  his  surprise  at  his  be- 
havior, and  asked  him,  What  he  meant  by  this  ? 
To  which  the  poet  answered,  '•  I'he  more  I 
think  of  God,  he  is  still  the  more  dark  and  un- 
known to  me." 

A  little  boy  of  extraordinary  abilities,  being 
introduced  into  the  company  of  a  dignitied  cler- 
gyman, was  asked  by  him.  Where  God  was? 
with  the  promise  of  an  orange.  "Tell  me,"  re- 
plied the  boy,  "  where  he  is  not,  and  I  will  give 
you  two." 

The  teacher  of  a  Sabbath  School  in  Bristol, 
discoursing  with  the  children,  asked,  among  other 
things,  '•  where  is  God  ?"  one  of  the  elder  boys  im- 
mediately answered,  "  In  heaven."  The  teacher 
not  appearing  satisfied  with  this  reply,  again  re- 
peated the  inquiry,  when  a  lad  younger  than  the 
other,  answered,  "  Every  where."  Kequiring 
still  further  explanation,  the  question  was  again 
put,  "  Where  is  God?"  when  a  third  boy  called 
out,  "  God  is  here."  The  views  of  the  teacher 
were  now  met;  and  he  endeavoured  to  impress 
upon  the  minds  of  the  children  the  important 
truth  that  God  is  in  heaven — God  is  every  where 
— God  is  here. 

It  was  a  fine  reply  that  a  pupil  of  the  deaf  and 
dumb.institution  at  Paris  made  to  the  following 


11 

question,  put  by  a  gentleman  visiting  it.  "  What 
is  eternity?"  ''It  is  the  lifetime  of  the  Al- 
mighty." 

Q,.  5.  Are  there  more  Gods  than  one  1 

A.  There  is  but  one  only,  the  living  and  the  true  God. 

An  Indian  chief  having  sent  for  Hiacoomes, 
a  co-nverted  native,  with  the  view  of  receiving  re- 
ligious instruction  from  him,  after  some  conver- 
sation, the  chief  asked  him.  "  How  many  Gods 
the  English  worshipped  ?"  Hiacoomes  answered, 
"  One.  and  no  more."  On  which  the  chief  reckon- 
ed up  about  thirty-seven  principal  gods  which  he 
had;  "And  shall  I"  said  he,  '-throw  awav  all 
these  thirty-seven  for  the  sake  of  one  only  ?" 
"  What  do  you  yourself  think?"  said  Hiacoomes; 
"For  my  part.  I  have  thrown  away  all  these  and 
many  more,  some  years  ago.  and  yet  I  am  pre- 
served, as  you  see,  to  this  day."  '•  You  speak 
true,"  said  the  chief  "and  therefore  I  will  throw 
away  all  my  gods  too,  and  serve  that  one  (lod 
with  you."  Hiacoomes  proceeded  more  fully  to 
instruct  him,  and  the  rest  of  the  company  with 
him,  and  the  chief  having  promised,  as  is 
above  declared,  to  worship  the  true  God,  and 
serve  him  only,  was  as  good  as  his  word  ;  for  he 
carried  himself  as  a  true  servant  of  God  all  the 
days  of  his  life  after. 

At  Buhapurum,  in  the  northern  Cicars,  a  child 
about  eight  years  old,  who  had  been  educated  in 
Christianity,  was  ridiculed  on  that  account,  by 
some  heathens  older  than  himself  In  reply,  he 
repeated  what  he  had  been  taught  respecting  God. 
"  Show  us  your  God  !"  said  the  heathens.  "  1 
cannot  do  that,"  answered  the  child:  "  but  I  can 
soon  show  you  yours."     Taking  up  a  stone,  and 


12 

daubing  it  with  some  resemblance  of  a  human  face, 
he  placed  it  very  gravely  upon  the  .ground,  and 
pushing  it  towards  them  with  his  foot ;  '-There," 
said  he,  "is  such  a  god  as  you  worship." 

Q..  6.  How  many  persons  are  there  in  the  Godhead  !? 

A.  There  are  three  persons  in  the  C^dhead;  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  these  three 
are  one  God,  the  same  in  substance,  equal  in  power  and 
glory. 

"Sitting  lately,"  says  one,  "in  a  public  room 
at  Brighton,  where  an  infidel  was  haranguing  the 
company  upon  the  absurdities  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion, I  could  not  but  be  pleased  to  see  how 
easily  his  reasoning  pride  was  put  to  shame.  He 
quoted  those  passages,  '  I  and  the  Father  are 
one;'  'I  in  them,  and  thou  in  me;'  and  that 
there  are  three  persons  in  one  God.  Finding  his 
auditors  not  disposed  to  applaud  his  blasphemy 
he  turned  to  one  gentleman,  and  said  with  an 
oath,  '  Do  you  believe  such  nonsense  ?'  The 
gentleman  replied.  '  Tell  me  how  that  candle 
burns?'  Why  answered  he,  'the  tallow,  the  cot- 
ton, and  the  atmospheric  air  produce  the  light.' 
'Then  they  make  one  light,  do  they  not?' 
'  Yes.'  ^Will  you  tell  me  how  they  are  one  in 
the  other,  and  yet  but  one  light  ?'  '  No,  I  cannot.' 
'  But  you  believe  it?'  He  could  not  say  he  did 
not.  The  company  instantly  made  the  applica- 
tion, by  smiling  at  his  folly ;  upon  which  the 
conversation  was  changed.  This  may  remind 
the  young  and  unexperienced,  that  if  they  believe 
only  what  they  can  explain,  they  may  as  well 
part  with  their  senses,  being  surrounded  by  the 
wonderful  works  of  God,  whose  ways  are  past 
finding  out." 


to 


When  Mr.  Job  Orton,  a  dissenting  minister  at 
Shrewsbury,  was  preaching  from  Isaiah  ix.  6., 
his  more  orthodox  hearers,  who  had  doubts  con- 
cerning his  belief  of  the  divinity  of  Christ,  were 
all  attention  in  hopes  of  hearing  their  pastor's 
real  sentiments.  They  were,  however,  disap- 
pointed ;  for  when  he  came  to  the  words,  "  The 
mighty  God,"  all  he  said  was,  "  The  meaning  of 
this  I  cannof  tell,  and  how  should  I,  when  his 
name  is  called  Wonderful  ?" 

Two  gentlemen  were  once  disputing  on  the 
divinity  of  Christ.  One  of  them  who  argued 
against  it,  said.  "  If  it  were  true,  it  certainly 
would  have  been  expressed  in  more  clear  and  un- 
equivocal terms."  "  Well,"  said  the  other,  '•  ad- 
mitting that  you  believed  it,  were  you  authorized 
to  teach  it,  and  allowed  to  use  j^our  own  language, 
how  would  you  express  the  doctrine  to  make  it 
indubitable^"  "I  would  say,"  replied  he,  "that 
Jesus  Christ  is  i/ie  true  God.''  "  You  are  very 
happy,"  rejoined  the  other  '•  in  the  choice  of  your 
words  ;  for  you  have  happened  to  hit  upon  the 
very  words  of  inspiration.  St.  John,  speaking  of  • 
the  Son,  says,  '  This  is  the  true  God  and  eternal 
life.'  " 

a.  7.  What  arc  the  drcrccs  of  God  1 

A.  The  decrees  of  God  are  liis  eternal  purpose,  accord- 
ing to  the  counsel  of  his  will,  whereby  for  his  own  glory, 
he  hath  fore-ordained  whatsoever  comes  to  jfess. 

"  Some  preachers  near  Olney,"  says  Mr. 
Newton,  "  dwelt  on  the  doctrine  of  predestina- 
tion. An  old  woman  said,  'Ah,  I  have  long 
settled  that  point,  for  if  God  had  not  chosen  me 
before  I  was  born,  I  am  sure  he  would  have  seen 
nothing  in  me  to  have  chosen  me  for  afterward !'  " 

2 


14 

A  young  person,  riding  one  day  with  a  friend 
of  his,  asked  him,  "  What  is  your  opinion  of  elec- 
tioii,  sir?"  His  friend  judiciously  replied,  "  Ste- 
phen, you  have  learned  fractions,  decimals,  &.c. 
do  you  understand  them  ?"  "  Yes,  sir."  "  Do 
you  think  when  you  were  in  addition  you  could  ?" 
"No  sir."  "Neither  can  you,  my  dear  boy,  at 
present  comprehend  the  deep  things  of  God." 
The  youih  appeared  much  interested,  and  durijig 
the  remainder  of  the  journey  he  seemed  to  be  ab- 
sorbed in  his  own  reflections. 

Mr.  Winter  was  lately  in  company  with  an  At- 
minian,  who  spoke  violently  against  the  doctrine 
of  election,  "You  believeelection, "said  Mr.  Win- 
ter,  "  MS  firmly  as  I  do."  "  I  deny  it,"  answered 
the  other  :  "  on  the  contrary,  it  is  a  doctrine  1  de- 
test." "  Do  you  believe  that  all  men  will  be 
saved  on  the  last  day,  or  some  only  ?"  "  Only 
some."  "  Do  you  imagine  that  those  some  will 
be  found  to  have  saved  themselves?"  "No,  cer- 
tainly :  God  in  Christ  is  the  only  Savior  of  sin- 
ners." "  But  God  could  have  saved  the  rest, 
could  he  not  ?"  "  No  doubt."  "  Then  salvation 
is  peculiar  to  be  saved?"  "To  be  sure."  "And 
God  saves  them  designedly,  and  not  against  his 
will?"  "Certainly."  "And  willingly  suffers 
the  rest  to  perish,  though  he  could  easily  have 
hindered  it?"  "It  should  seem  so."  "Then 
is  not  this  election?  It  amounts  to  the  same 
thing." 

Q,.  8.  How  doth  God  execute  his  decrees  1 
A.  God  cxccuteth  his  decrees  in  the  works  of  creation 
and  providence. 

Julian,  usually  styled  the  apostate,  one  of  the 
Roman  emperors,  with  the  view  of  invalidating 


15 

the  truth  of  our  Savior's  prophecies  respecting 
the  desolation  of  the  Jews,  made  an  attempt  to 
rebuild  the  temple  of  Jerusalem;  but  from  the 
breaking  out  of  terrible  balls  of  fire  near  the  foun- 
dations, the  workmen  were  obliged  to  abandon  the 
impious  attempt.  "  Who  hath  hardened  himself 
against  God,  and  halh  prospered?  His  counsel 
shall  stand,  and  he  will  do  all  his  pleasure." 

The  celebrated  Richard  Boylej  Earl  of  Cork, 
who  rose  from  a  humble  station  in  life  to  the 
highest  rank,  and  passed  through  strange  and 
trying  vicissitudes,  used  these  words  as  his  motto, 
and  ordered  them  to  be  engraved  upon  his  tomb: 
GocVs  providence  is  my  inheritance. 

An  ancient  philosopher  used  to  bless  the  gods 
for  three  privileges — ^J'hat  he  was  made,  not  a 
brute  but  a  rational  creature — That  he  was  born, 
not  in  barbarous  climes  but  in  Greece — Thfit  he 
lived,  not  in  the  more  nnci/ltivated  ages,  but  in 
the  time,  and  under  the  tuition  of  Socrates.  How 
much  better  reason  have  we  to  bless  God,  that  in 
his  providence,  we  are  born  in  Britain  in  a  time 
of  Gospel  light ! 

CI.  9.  What  is  the  work  of  creation  1 

A.  Tlic  work  of  crcntion  is,  Goil's  inakin<i  all  thinrrs  of 
nothing,  by  the  word  of  his  power  in  the  space  of  six  days, 
and  all  very  good. 

Sir  Isaac  Newton  said,  a  little  before  his  death, 
"  I  do  not  know  what  I  may  appear  to  the  world  ; 
but  to  myself  [  seem  to  have  been  only  like  a 
boy  playing  on  the  sea-shore,  and  diverting  my- 
self; now  and  then  finding  a  smoother  pebble, 
or  a  prettier  shell  than  ordinary,  while  the  great 
ocean  of  truth  lay  all  undiscovered  before  me. 

The  late  Dr.  Beattie  of  Aberdeen,  wished  to 


16 

impress  on  tlie  mind  of  his  son,  a  little  boy,  about 
six  years  of"  age,  the  important  truth  that  God 
made  him.  In  the  corner  of  a  little  garden, 
without  informing  any  person  of  the  circumstance, 
I  wrote  in  the  mould,  with  my  finger,  the  three 
initiaL  letters  of  his  name,  and  sowing  garden 
cresses  in  tlie  furrows,  covered  up  the  seed,  and 
smoothed  the  ground.  Ten  days  after  this,  he 
came  running  *o  me,  and  with  astonishment  in 
his  countenance,  told  me  that  his  name  was  grow 
ing  ill  the  garden.  I  lauglied  at  the  report,  and 
seemed  inclined  to  disregard  it,  but  he  insisted  on 
my  going  to  see  what  had  happened.  "  Yes," 
said  I,  carelessly,  on  coming  to  the  place,  "  I  see 
it  is  so  :  but  what  is  there  in  this  worth  notice  ? 
is  it  not  mere  chance  ?"  and  I  went  away.  He 
followed  me,  and  taking  hold  of  mv  coat,  said 
with  some  earnestness,  "  It  cannot  have  happen- 
ed by  chance, — somebody  must  have  contrived 
matters  so  as  to  produce  it."  "  So  you  think," 
said  1,  "  that  what  appears  as  the  letters  of  your 
name  .cannot  be  by  chance?"  'Yes."  said  he 
with  fi,rmness,  "I  think  so."  "Look  at  your- 
self," I  replied,  "and  consider  your  hands  and 
fingers,  your  legs  and  feet,  and  other  limbs;  are 
they  not  regular  in  their  appearance,  and  useful 
to  you  ?"  he  said  they  were.  "  Came  vou  then 
hither,"  said  I,  "by  chance?"  "No,"  he  an- 
swered, "that  cannot  be;  something  must  have 
made  me  ;"  "  And  who  is  that  something?"  I 
asked.  He  said,  "  I  do  not  know."  I  had  now 
gained  the  point  I  aimed  at,  and  saw  that  his  rea- 
son taught  him  (though  he  could  not  express)  that 
what  begins  to  be,  must  have  a  cau?e ;  and  that 
what  is  formed  with  regularity  must  have  an  in- 


17 

telUgent  cause.  I  therefore  told  him  the  name  of 
the  GUEAT  Being  who  made  him,  and  all  the 
world ;  concerning  whose  adorable  nature,  I 
gave  him  such  information  as  I  thought  he  could 
in  some  measure  comprehend.  'J 'he  lesson  af- 
fected him  greatly,  and  he  never  forgot  either  it 
or  the  circumstance  that  introduced  it. 

A  gentleman  being  invited  by  an  honourable 
personage  to  see  a  stately  building,  erected  by 
Sir  Christopher  Hattan.  he  desired  to  be  excu- 
sed, and  to  sit  still,  looking  on  a  flower,  which 
he  held  in  his  hand.  'For,"  said  he,  "1  see 
more  of  God  in  this  flower,  than  all  the  beau- 
tiful edifices  in  the  world." 

CI.  10.  How  did  God  create  man  1 

A.  God  created  man,  male  and  female,  after  his  own 
imaijr,  in  knowiodire,  rii;liteousness,  and  holiness,  with 
dominion  over  the  creatures. 

When  Galen,  a  celebrated  physician,  but 
atheistically  inclined,  had  anatomized  the  human 
body,  and  carefully  surveyed  the  frame  of  it, 
viewed  the  fitness  and  usefulness  of  every  part  of 
it,  and  the  many  several  intentions  of  every  little 
vein,  bone  and  muscle,  and  the  beauty  of  the 
whole,  he  fell  into  a  pang  of  devotion,  and  wrote 
a  hymn  to  his  Creator. 

Bailey,  a  Griqua.  in  South  Africa,  stated,  that 
the  first  thing  which  led  him  to  think  of  religion, 
was  observing  the  Hottentuts,  who  belonged  to 
Zak  river  mission,  giving  thanks  when  eating, 
"i  went,"  said  he  "afterwards  to  that  settle- 
ment, where  I  heard  many  things,  but  felt  no  in- 
terest in  them.  But  one  day,  when  alone  in  the 
fields.  1  looked  very  seriously  at  a  mountnin.  as 
the  work  of  that  God  of  whom  I  had  heard; 

2* 


IS 

then  I  looked  at  ray  two  hands,  and  for  the  first 
time  noticed,  that  there  was  the  same  number  of 
fingers  on  each.  I  asked  why  are  there  not  five 
on  this  hand,  and  three  on  that?  it  must  be  God 
that  made  them  so.  Then  I  examined  my  feet, 
and  wondered  to  find  my  soles  both  flat ;  not  one 
flat  and  the  other  round.  God  must  have  done 
this,  said  I.  In  this  way  I  considered  my  whole 
body,  which  made  a  deep  impression  on  ray  mind, 
and  disposed  me  to  hear  the  word  of  God  with 
more  interest,  till  I  was  brought  to  trust  that  Je- 
sus died  for  my  sins  " 

It  happened  on  a  day,  when  Mrs.  Rowe  and 
Dr.  Watts  were  together,  that  the  former,  who 
was  remarkable  for  the  elegance  of  her  person, 
began  to  rally  the  latter  on  his  external  appear- 
ance, which  was  rather  diminutive.  The  doc- 
tor heard  her  for  some  time  with  great  good  hu- 
mor, but,  at  length,  thinking  that  she  was  pro- 
ceeding too  far,  he  retreated  a  few  paces,  and 
with  a  dignity  and  manner  peculiar  to  himself  de- 
licately chid  her  in  the  following  extempore  lines  : 

Could  I  in  stature  reach  the  pole, 
Or  grasp  creation  in  my  span  ; 

I'd  still  be  mcasur'd  by  my  soul : 
The  sours  the  slaturc  of  i\icman. 

0..   11.  "What  arc  God's  works  of  providence  1 

A.  God's  works  of  providciire  are,  his  most  holy,  wise, 

and  powerful  preserving  and  governing  all  his  creatures, 

and  ail  their  actions. 

The  punctuality  of  Mr.  Newton,  .while  tide- 
surveyor  at  Liverpool,  was  particularly  remarked. 
One  day,  however,  some  business  had  detained 
him.  and  he  came  to  his  boat  much  later  than- 
usual, to  the  surprise  of  those  who  had  observed 
his  former  punctuality      He  went  out  in  the  boat 


19 

as  heretofore  to  inspect  a  ship;  but  by  some  ac- 
cident the  ship  blew  up  just  before  he  reached  it; 
and  it  appears,  that  if  he  had  left  the  shore  a  few 
minutes  sooner,  he  must  have  perished  with  the 
rest  on  board. 

Inscription  on  a  tomb-stone  in  Jamaica, 

— "  Here  lies  the  body  of  Lewis  Galdy.  Esq.,  who 
departed  this  life  at  Port-Royal,  the  22d  of  De- 
cember, 1736,  aged  eighty.  He  was  born  at 
Montpelier.  in  France  :  but  left  that  co\intry  for 
his  religion,  and  came  to  settle  in  this  island,  when 
he  was  swallowed  up  in  the  great  earthquake,  in 
the  year  1692,  and.  by  the  providence  of  God, 
was  bv  another  shock  thrown  into  the  sea.  and 
miraculously  saved  by  swimming,  until  a  boat 
took  him  up.  He  lived  many  years  after,  in 
great  reputation,  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him, 
and  much  lamented  at  his  death."  God  is 
a  God  of  providence,  as  well  as  a  God  of  grace. 
*' Are  not  two  sparrows  sold  for  a  farthing?  and 
one  of  them  shall  not  fall  on  the  ground  without 
your  Father.  But  the  very  hairs  of  your  head  are 
all  numbered.  Fear  ye  not,  therefore,  ye  are  of 
more  value  than  many  sparrows." 

Queen  I\Iary  having  dealt  severely  with  thepro- 
testants  in  England,  about  the  latter  end  of  her 
reign,  signed  a  commission  to  take  the  same 
course  with  them  in  Ireland,  and,  to  execute  the 
same  with  greater  force,  she  nominated  Dr.  Cole 
one  of  the  commissioners.  The  doctor  coming  with 
the  commission  to  Chester,  on  his  journey,  the 
IMavor  of  that  city,  hearing  that  her  majesty  was 
sendlngr  a  messenger  into  Ireland,  waited  on  the 
Dr.,  who  in  discourse  with  the  Mayor,  took  out  of 


20 

a  cloak -bag  a  leather  box,  sayins^,  "  Here  is  a  com- 
mission that  shall  lash  the  heretics  ot"  Ireland," 
callinp'  the  prolestants  by  that  title.  The  good  wo- 
man of  the  house,  being  well  affected  to  the  protest- 
ant  religion;  and  also  having  a  brother  named 
John  Edmonds,  of  the  same  religious  profession, 
then  a  citizen  of  Dublin,  was  much  troubled  at  the 
doctor's  words  ;  but  watching  her  convenient 
time,  while  the  Mayor  took  his  leave,  and  the 
doctor  complimented  him  down  stairs,  she  open- 
ed the  box,  took  the  commission  out,  and 
placed  in  lieu  of  it,  a  sheet  of  paper  with  a 
pack  of  cards  wrapt  up  in  it,  the  knave  of 
clubs  being  faced  Tippermost.  The  doctor  com- 
ing up  to  his  chamber,  and  suspecting  nothing  of 
what  had  been  done,  put  up  his  box  as  formerly. 
The  next  day  going  to  the  water-side,  wind  and 
weather  serving  him,  he  sailed  towards  Ireland, 
and  landed  on  the  7th  of  October,  1558,  at  Dub- 
lin. When  he  arrived  at  the  castle,  the  Lord 
Fitz-Walter,  being  Lord  Deputy,  sent  for  him  to 
come  before  him  and  the  privy  council.  He 
came  accordingly,  and  after  he  had  made  a 
speech  relating  on  what  account  he  had  come 
over,  he  presented  the  box  to  the  Lord  Deputy, 
who,  causing  it  to  be  opened,  that  the  secretary 
might  read  the  commission,  there  was  nothing 
save  a  pack  of  cards,  with  the  knave  of  clubs  up- 
permost ;  which  not  only  startled  the  Lord  De- 
puty and  council,  but  the  doctor,  who  assured 
them  he  had  a  commission,  but  knew  not  how  it 
was  gone.  The  Lord  Deputy  made  answer, 
"  Let  us  have  another  commision,  and  we  will 
shufTle  the  cards  in  the  meanwhile."  The  doctor 
being  troubled  in  his  mind,  went  away,  and  re- 


21 

turned  to  England,  and,  coming  into  the  court 
obtained  another  commission ;  but  staying  for 
tlie  wind  on  the  water  side,  news  came  to  him 
that  the  Queen  was  dead ;  and  thus  God  preserv- 
ed the  protestants  of  Ireland.  Queen  Elizabeth  was 
so  delighted  with  this  story,  which  was  related 
to  her  by  Lord  Fitz-Walter  on  his  return  to  Eng- 
land, that  she  sent  for  Elizabeth  Emmonds,  and 
gave  her  a  pension  of  £40  a  year,  during  her  life. 

d.  12.  What  special  act  of  providence  did  God  exer- 
cise towards  man  in  the  state  wherein  he  was  created  "? 

A.  When  God  had  created  man,  he  entered  into  a  co- 
venant of  life  with  him,  upon  condition  of  perfect  ohe- 
dience  ;  and  fi)rbiddinir  hiia  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  the 
knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  upon  the  pain  of  death. 

In  the  reign  of  King  Charles  I.  the  goldsmiths 
of  London  had  a  custom  of  weighing  several  sorts 
of  their  precious  metal  before  the  privy  council. 
On  this  occasion,  they  m  ide  use  of  scales,  poised 
with  such  exquisite  nicety,  that  the  beam  would 
turn,  the  master  of  the  company  affirmed,  at  the 
two-hundredth  part  of  a  grain.  Noy,  the  famous  at- 
torney-general standing  by,  and  hearing  this,  re- 
plied, "  I  should  be  loath  then  to  have  all  my  actions 
weighed  in  these  scales."  With  whom  1  heartily 
concur,  says  the  pious  Hervey,  in  relation  to  my- 
self And  since  the  balances  of  the  sanctuary, 
the  balances  in  God's  hand,  are  infinitely  exact, 
O  what  need  have  we  of  the  merit  and  righteous- 
ness of  Christ  to  make  us  acceptable  in  his  sight, 
and  passable  in  his  esteem. 

A  servant  who  had  made  that  improvement 
which  might  be  expected  from  hearing  the  irre- 
ligious and  blasphemous  conversation  continually 
passing  at  the  table  where  he  waited,  took  an 


22 

opportunity  to  rob  his  master.  Being  apprehend- 
ed, and  urged  by  his  master  to  give  a  reason  for 
this  infamous  behavior,  '"Sir,"  said  he,  "  1  have 
heard  you  and  your  friends,  so  often  talk  of  the 
impossibility  of  a  future  state,  and  that  after  death 
there  was  no  reward  for  virtue,  nor  punishment 
for  vice,  that  I  Avas  tempted  to  commit  the  rob- 
bery." "  Well,"  replied  the  master,  "  but  had 
you  no  fear  of  that  death  which  the  laws  of  your 
country  inflict  upon  the  crime  ?"  "  Sir,"  re- 
joined the  servant,  looking  sternly  at  his  master, 
"  What  is  that  to  you,  if  I  had  a  mind  to  venture 
that?  you  and  your  wicked  companions  had  remov- 
ed my  greatest  terror;  why  should  I  fear  the  less?" 

Q,.  13.  Did  our  first  parents  continue  in  the  estate 
wherein  they  were  created  1 

A.  Our  first  parents,  being  left  to  the  freedom  of  their 
own  will,  fell  from  the  estate  wherein  they  were  created, 
by  sinning  against  God. 

"  Many  have  puzzled  themselves,"  says  Mr. 
Newton,  "  about  the  origin  of  evil ;  I  observe 
there  is  evil,  and  that  there  is  a  way  to  escape  it, 
and  with  this  I  begin  and  end." 

When  the  physicians  told  Theotimus,  that  ex- 
cept he  abstained  from  drunkenness  and  unclean- 
iiess,  &c.  he  would  lose  his  eyes ;  his  heart  was 
se  wedded  to  his  sins,  that  he  answered,  "  Then 
farewell  sioeet  lightV  He  had  rather  lose  his 
eyes  than  leave  his  sins.  So  a  man  bewitched 
with  sin,  had  rather  lose  God,  Christ,  heaven,  and 
his  own  soul,  then  part  with  it. 

Colonel  Gardner  having  received  a  challenge 
to  fight  a  duel,  made  the  following  trulj^  noble 
and  christian  reply  ;  "  1  fear  sinning^  though  you 
know,  Sir,  I  do  not  fear  fighting." 


23 

Q,.  14.  What  is  sin?' 

A.  Sin  is  any  want  of  conformity  unto,  or  transgression 
of,  tlie  law  of  Goil. 

The  last  words  that  Archbishop  Usher  was 
heard  to  express,  were,  '•  Lord  forgive  my  sins, 
especially  my  sins  of  omission^'' 

A  minister  explaining  the  distinction  between 
sins  of  omission  and  commission,  made  use  of  the 
following  simile  bv  way  of  illustration,  "Behold 
yonder  tire  which  lately  burnt  with  so  much 
brightness;  it  is  now  dull:  let  it  alone,  and  it  will 
soon  go  out  ;  but  if  you  pour  water  on  it.  you 
will  put  it  out.  The  first  is  an  act  of  omission, 
the  second  of  commission." 

Count  CTodomar,  a  foreigner  of  note,  often 
professed,  in  th'j  declining  part  of  his  years,  when 
death  and  the  eternal  world  seemed  nearer,  "  'I'hat 
he  feared  nothing  in  the  world  more  than  sin; 
and  whatever  liberties  he  had  formerly  taken,  he 
would  rather  now  submit  to  be  torn  to  pieces  by 
wild  beasts,  than  knowingly  or  willingly  commit 
any  sin  against  God." 

Phebe  Bartlett,  a  very  little  girl,  went  with  some 
other  children,  to  gather  plums  in  a  neighbor's 
orchard.  On  bringing  some  of  the  fruit  home, 
her  mother  mildly  reproved  her,  and  said  she 
ought  not  to  have  gathered  the  plums  without 
leave,  because  it  was  sin.:  God  had  commanded 
her  not  to  steal.  The  child  not  being  sen^jifjle 
of  the  evil  before,  seemed  greatly  surprised  and 
bursting  into  tears,  cried  out,  '•  I  wont  have  these 
plums!"  and  turning  to  her  sister.  Eunice,  very 
earnestly  said  to  her,  '•  Wiiy  did  you  ask  me  to 
go  to  that  plum  tree  ?  I  should  not  have  gfone.  if 
you  had  not  asked  me."     The  other  children  did 


24 

not  seem  much  concerned ;  but  there  was  no  pa- 
cifying Phebe.  Her  mother  mentioned  the  cir- 
cumstance to  the  ov/ner  of  the  tree,  and  requested 
of  him  that  she  might  have  the  phims  ;  but  still 
she  was  deeply  affected ;  and  being  asked  what 
it  Avas  that  troubled  her  now?  she  said  that  she 
wept,  BECAUSE  IT  Vv'AS  SIN.  She  declared  that 
if  Eunice  were  to  ask  her  a  hundred  times,  she 
ivould  not  go  again,  and  she  retained  an  aversioii 
to  that  fruit  for  a  long  time  after. 

Gl.  15.  What  was  the  sin  whereby  our  first  parents  fell 
from  the  estate  wherein  they  were  created  1 

A.  The  sin  whereby  our  first  parents  fell  from  the  es- 
tate wherein  they  were  created,  was  their  eating  the  for- 
bidden fruit. 

The  late  Mr.  Thomas,  one  of  the  missionary 
brethren  at  Serampore,  was  one  day,  after  addres- 
sing a  crowd  of  the  natives  on  the  banks  of  the 
Ganges,  accosted  by  a  Brahmin  as  follows :  "  Sir, 
don't  you  say  that  the  devil  tempts  men  to  sin?" 
'•  Yes,"  answered  Mr.  Thomas.  '•  Then,"  said 
the  Brahmin,  "  certainly  the  fault  is  the  devil's ; 
the  devil  therefore,  and  not  man,  ought  to  suffer 
the  punishment."  While  the  countenances  of 
many  of  the  natives  discovered  their  approbation 
of  the  Brahmin's  inference;  Mr.  Thomas,  obser- 
ving a  boat,  with  several  men  on  board,  descend- 
ing the  river,  with  that  facility  of  instructive  re- 
tort for  which  he  was  so  much  distinguished,  re- 
plied. "  Brahmin  do  you  see  yonder  boat  ?" 
'■'  Yes."  "  Suppose  I  were  to  send  some  of  my 
friends  to  destroy  every  person  on  board,  and 
bring  me  all  that  is  valuable  in  the  boat. — who 
ought  to  suffer  punishment?  /for  instructing  them, 
or  tkcf/  for  doing  this  wicked  act  ?"  '•  Why,"  an- 
swered the  Brahmin,  with  emotion,  "you  ought 


'^3 


all  to  be  put  to  death  together."  "  Aye  Brah- 
min," replied  Mr.  T.  "  and  if  you  and  the  devil 
sin  together,  the  devil  and  you  will  be  punished 
together." 

"  There  is,"  says  one,  "  a  tree  called  the  man- 
chaneel,  which  grows  in  the  West  Indies  ;  its  ap- 
pearance is  very  attractive,  and  the  wood  of  it 
peculiarly  beautiful  ;  it  bears  a  kind  of  apple,  re- 
sembling the  golden  pippen.      This  fruit  looks 
very  tempting  and  smells  very  fragrant ;  but  to 
eat  of  it  is  instant  death  ;  and  its  sap  or  juice  is  so 
poisonous,  that   if  a  few  drops  of  it  fall  on  the 
skin,  it  raises  blisters,  and  occasions  great  pain. 
The  Indians  dip  their  arrows  in  the  juice,  that 
they  may  poison  their  enemies  when  they  wound 
them.      Providence  hath  so  appointed  it.  that  one 
of  these  trees  is  never  found,  but  near  it  there  also 
grows  a  while  wood,  or  a  fig-tree,  the  juice  of 
either  of  which,  if  applied  in  time,  is  a  remedy 
for  the  diseases    produced  by  the    manchaneel. 
Now,  when  I  read  this  account,  I  thought  of  sin 
and  salvation.  Sin,  like  this  poisonous  apple,  looks 
pleasant  to  the  eye,  and  men  desire  it — eat  of  it, 
and  die.      We  may  think  there  is  no  harm  in  such 
a  thing. — it  is  only  a  little  sin  :  but  who  would  eat 
only  a  little  poison  ?     The  least  sin,  if  not  for- 
given, will    ruin  our    souls   for    ever.      This    is 
fruit  that  must  not  be  tasted  ;  yea,  it  ought  not 
to  be  looked  upon,  or  thought  of      It  is  sin  that 
gives  to  the  darts  of  Satan  all  their  fiery  qualities ; 
and  to  the  arrow  of  death  all  its  bitterness.     Now 
all  who  have  looked   upon  the  fruit  of  this  tree 
have  desired  it,  and  have  eaten  of  it ;   and  if  not 
delivered  from  its  fatal  effects  will  surely  die  :   but 
there  is  a  remedy  at  hand  ;  it  is  the  precious  blood 


o 


26 

of  the  Son  of  God,  which  soothes  the  troubled 
conscience,  and  cleanses  it  from  all  sin. 

"  Not  halm,  new  bleeding  from  the  wounded  tree, 
Nor  bless'd  Aralna  witli  his  spicy  grove, 
Such  fragrance  yields." 

RowE. 

Apply,  therefore,  to  this  means  of  cure  !  fly  to 
a  crucitied  Saviour  !  there  is  no  time  to  be  lost ! — 
the  poison  works  within  ! — the  disease  every  mo- 
ment is  increasing  ! — Go  to  the  great  Physician 
without  delay,  and  say,  '  Lord,  if  thou  wilt,  thou 
canst  make  me  whole  !'  " 

Q..  16.  Did  all  mankind  fall  in  Adam's  first  transgres- 
sion 1 

A.  The  covenant  being  made  with  Adam,  not  only  for 
himself,  but  for  his  posterity  ;  all  mankind,  descendinor 
from  him  by  ordinary  generation,  sinned  in  hiui,  and  fell 
with  him  in  his  first  transgression. 

A  pious  minister,  having  preached  on  the  doc- 
trine of  original  sin,  was  afterwards  waited  on  by 
some  persons,  who  stated  their  objections  to 
what  he  had  advanced.  After  hearing  them, 
he  said,  "  I  hope  you  do  not  deny  actual  sin 
too  ?"  "  No,"  they  replied.  The  good  man 
expressed  his  satisfaction  at  their  acknowledg- 
ment ;  but  to  show  the  absurdity  of  their  opin- 
ions in  denying  a  doctrine  so  plainly  taught  in 
Scripture,  he  asked  tbem.  '•  13id  you  ever  see  a 
tree  growing  without  a  root?" 

When  Melancthon  was  first  converted,  he 
thought  it  impossible  for  his  hearers  to  withstand 
the  evidence  of  the  truth  in  the  ministry  of  the 
gospel :  But  after  preaching  a  while,  he  com- 
plained, "  That  old  Adam  was  too  hard  for  young 
JVIelancthon." 


27 

"I  overheard  a  discourse,"  says  one,  "some- 
thing like  altercation,  between  a  deacon,  his  son, 
and  servants.  Some  one  had  informed  him  that 
the  cattle  had  broken  into  the  corn  field,  and 
were  making  great  ravages.  His  servants  were 
ordered  to  make  haste  and  turn  them  out.  and  re- 
pair the  breach.  '  How  came  they  in  there  ?  ' 
says  one  ;  '  Which  way  did  they  get  in  ?  '  cries 
another ;  '  It  is  impossible,  the  fences  are  good,' 
says  a  third  ;  '  Don't  stand  here  talking  to  no 
purpose,'  cries  the  deacon,  with  increased  earnest- 
ness, '  they  are  in  the  field  destroying  the  corn. 
I  see  them  with  my  own  eyes.  Out  with  them 
speedily,  and  put  up  the  fence.'  As  I  approach- 
ed him,  he  began  to  be  more  calm.  '  Your  par- 
don, sir ;  these  fellows  have  quite  vexed  me. 
They  make  one  think  of  our  pastor's  sermon  on 
the  origin  of  sin,  spending  their  timft  needlessly, 
inquring  how  it  came  into  the  world,  while  he 
ought  to  be  exhorting  us  to  drive  it  out.^  '  Your 
observation  is  just,'  said  I,  '  and  your  directions 
to  yourservants  contain  sound  orthodox  doctrine; 
—a  good  practical  improvement  to  the  discoufse 
we  have  heard  to-day.'  " 

CI.   17.  Into  what  estate  did  the  fall  brins  mankind  1 
A.  The  fall  brought  mankind  into  a  state  of  sin  and 
misery. 

The  Rev.  and  pious  Dr.  Ives,  whose  house  was 
on  Oxford  road,  and  by  which  the  criminals  were 
carried  weekly  in  carts  to  Tyburn,  u.sed  to  stand 
at  his  window,  and  say  to  any  young  friends  who 
might  be  near  him.  pointing  out  any  of  the  most 
notorious  malefactors,  "There  goes  Dr.  Ires!" 
— If  an  explanation  was  asked,  he  took  occasion 
to  expound  the  innate  corruption  of  the  human 


28 

heart ;  and  appealed  to  the  experience  of  his  audi- 
tors, "  whether  they  had  not  felt  the  movements 
of  those  very  passions,  errors,  prejudices,  lusts, 
revenge,  covetousness,  &c.,  whose  direct  tenden- 
cy was  to  produce  the  crimes  for  M^hich  these  of- 
fenders satisfied  the  claims  of  public  justice,  and 
which  were  solely  prevented  from  carrying  them 
to  the  same  dreadful  fate,  by  the  restraining 
grace  of  God." 

"  I  have  this  evening."  says  Mrs.  Houseman, 
in  her  dairy,  "  had  my  dear  child  with  me  in  my 
closet,  conversing  with  her,  endeavouring  to 
awaken  her,  and  convinceherof  her  sin  and  misery 
by  nature  and  practice.  The  child  was  seemingly 
affected,  and  melted  into  tears ;  so  greatly  was 
she  distressed,  that  I  was  obliged  to  turn  my  dis- 
course, and  tell  her  God  was  good,  and  willing  to 
pardon  and  receive  sinners,  especially  those  chil- 
dren that  were  desirous  to  be  good  betimes,  and 
in  their  younger  days  set  themselves  to  love  God 
and  serve  him.  I  told  her  she  must  pray  to  God 
to  pardon  her,  and  give  her  grace  to  serve  him. 
The  child  seemed  willing  to  pray,  but  wanted 
words  to  express  herself  I  asked  her  if  I  should 
help  her,  and  teach  her  to  pray  ?"  The  pious 
mother  adds,  "  O  Lord,  may  this  dear  offspring 
rise  and  call  thee  blessed  !" 

Cyrus,  the  Emperor  of  Persia,  after  he  had 
Ions:  been  attended  by  armies,  and  vast  trains  of 
courtiers,  ordered  this  niscription  to  be  engraven 
on  his  tomb,  as  an  admonition  to  all  men  of  the 
approach  of  death,  and  the  desolation  that  fol- 
lows it.  namely,  '"  O  man  !  whatsoever  thou  art 
and  whencesoever  thou  comest,  I  know  that  thou 
wilt  come  to  the  same  condition  in  which  I  now 


29 

am.  I  am  Cyrus,  who  brought  the  empire  to  the 
Persians;  do  not  envy  me,  I  beseech  thee,  this 
little  piece  of  ground  which  covereth  my  body." 

Q,.  18.  Wucrcin  consists  the  sinfulness  of  tliat  estate 
whcreinto  man  fell  ] 

A.  'I'he  sinfulness  of  that  estate  whercinto  man  fell, 
consists  in  the  guilt  of  Adam's  first  sin,  the  want  of  origi- 
nal righteousness,  and  the  corruption  of  his  whole  nature, 
which  is  commonly  called  Original  Sin ;  together  with  all 
actual  transgressions  which  proceed  from  it. 

A  certain  Italian  having  his  enemy  in  his 
power,  told  him  there  was  no  possible  way  for  to 
save  his  life,  unless  he  would  immediately  deny 
and  renounce  his  Savior.  The  timorous  wretch, 
in  hopjs  of  mercy,  did  it,  when  the  other  forth- 
with stabbed  him  to  the  heart,  saying,  "  That 
now  he  had  a  noble  revenge,  for  he  had  at  once 
killed  both  his  soul  and  his  body." 

Dr.  Milne,  the  late  missionary  in  speaking  of 
his  conversion,  says,  "The  book  which  God  made 
use  of  more  especially  for  convincing  me  of  ray 
sin  and  misery,  was  BosloiUs  Fourfold  State, 
which  I  read  with  the  deepest  attention  It  con- 
ducted me  to  my  own  heart,  discovered  the  evils 
which  before  lay  hid  in  the  chambers  of  imagery ; 
the  monstrous  ingratitude  to  God  which  had 
marked  all  my  conduct ;  and  the  pollution  of 
original  and  actual  sin,  with  which  my  .soul  was 
contaminated.  I  saw  that  I  w'as  necessarily  un- 
der the  strongest  and  most  righteous  obligations 
to  God,  and  had  never  for  one  hour  of  my  life 
discharged  those,  but  lived  in  rebellion  against 
the  author  of  my  life  ;  so  I  Uds  justly  under  the 
curse  of  God's  righteous  law,  and  exposed  to 
everlasting  misery." — Under  the  tormenting 
fears  of  eternal  wrath,  he  sometimes  wished  him.- 

3* 


30 

self  transformed  into  a  stone,  or  one  of  the  fowls 
he  saw  tlying'over  his  head  in  the  fields.  He 
was  frequent  and  fervent  in  prayer,  and  was  in 
the  mercy  of  God,  led  to  those  means  by  which 
he  learned  how  even  a  vile  and  guilty  creature, 
such  as  he  was,  might  be  for  ever  saved. 

It  is  a  very  singular  fact,  says  a  country  pa- 
per, that  a  hare  which  was  opened  a  few  days 
ago  at  Sheffield,  was  found  to  have  two  hearts. 
They  were  joined  together  by  a  thin  membrane. 
An  African  heathen,  after  having  heard  the  mis- 
sionaries for  some  time,  declared  seriously  to  one, 
that  he  had  now  got  two  hearts  within  him.  The 
one  heart  said,  Do  good  !  the  other  said,  Do  evil ! 
Many  besides  this  heathen,  feel  within  them  two 
opposing  principles. 

The  beginning  of  Nero's  reign  was  marked  by 
acts  of  the  greatest  kindness  and  condescension: 
by  affability,  complaisance,  and  popularity.  The 
object  of  his  administration  seemed  to  be  the 
good  of  his  people  ;  and  when  he  was  desired  to 
sign  his  name  to  a  list  of  malefactors  that  were 
to  be  executed,  he  exclaimed,  "  I  tcisk  to  heaven 
I  could  not  write  !"  He  was  an  enemy  to  flat- 
tery ;  and  when  the  senate  had  liberally  commend- 
ed the  wisdom  of  his  government,  Nero  desired 
them  to  keep  their  praises  till  he  deserved  them. 
Yet  this  was  the  wretch  who  assassinated  his 
mother,  who  set  fire  to  Rome,  and  destroyed 
multitudes  of  men,  women,  and  children,  and 
threw  the  odium  of  that  dreadful  action  on  the 
Christians.  The  cruelties  he  exorcised  towards 
them  were  beyond  description,  while  he  seemed 
to  be  the  only  one  who  enjoyed   the   tragical 


31 

spectacle.  "  The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all 
things,  and  desperately  wicked,  who  can  know 
it?" 

CI.  19.  What  is  the  misery  of  that  estate  whereinto 
man  fell  1 

A.  All  mankind  by  their  fall  lost  communion  with  God, 
are  umlcr  his  wrath  anil  curse,  and  so  made  liable  to  all 
the  miseries  of  this  Ufe,  to  death  itself,  and  to  the  pains  of 
hell  for  ever. 

Some  of  the  natives  of  South  America,  after 
listening  a  while  to  the  instructions  of  the  Catho- 
lic missionaries,  gave  them  this  cool  answer ; 
"  You  f^ay  that  the  God  of  the  christians  knows 
every  thing,  that  nothing  is  hidden  from  him, 
that  he  is  every  where,  and  sees  all  that  is  done 
below.  Now,  we  do  not  desire  a  God  so  sharp- 
sighted  ;  we  choose  to  live  with  freedom  in  our 
woods,  without  having  a  perpetual  observer  of 
our  actions  over  our  heads." 

"  I  am  creditably  informed."  says  Mr.  Orton, 
in  his  sermon  on  Old  Age,  "  that  a  person  who 
had  lately  a  large  sum  of  money  left  him  to  dis- 
tribute in  charity,  had  application  made  to  him 
for  a  share  of  it  from  no  fewer  than  thirty  per- 
sons who  had  rode  in  their  own  carriages." 

Some  time  ago,  a  gentleman  in  London,  when 
on  his  doath-bedjfelt  s%  strong  an  aversion  to  dy- 
ing:, and  leaving:  behind  him  all  his  hard-earned 
wealth,  that  he  hastily  rose  from  his  bed,  went 
out  and  walked  in  his  yard,  calling  out  that  he 
would  not  die.  But  the  unhappy  man's  strength 
being  soon  exhausted,  he  was  brought  back  to 
his  bed  by  his  affrighted  friends,  whero  he  expir- 
ed, for  his  hour  was  come.  Love  to  Christ  will 
make  the  greatest  monarch  willing  to  lay  down 


32 

his  crown  and  die,  that  he  may  be  with  Christ, 
which  to  him,  as  well  as  Paul,  will  be  great 
gain. 

"  Ah  !  Mr.  Hervey,"  said  a  dying  man,  "  the 
day  in  which  I  ought  to  have  worked  is  over, 
a*nd  now  I  see  a  horrible  night  approaching, 
bringing  with  it  the  blackness  of  darkness  for 
ever.  Wo  is  me  !  when  God  called,  I  refused. 
Now  1  am  in  sore  anguish,  and  yet  this  is  but 
the  beginning  of  sorrows.  I  shall  be  destroyed 
with  an  everlasti'ng  destruction." 

A  young  girl,  eighteen  years  of  age,  a  native 
of  New-York,  was  brought  up  by  her  parents,  in 
all  the  gayeties  and  follies  of  youth  ;  by  them 
encouraged  to  ornament  her  person,  and  engage 
in  every  vain  amusement.  When  she  was  taken 
ill,  three  physicians  were  sent  for  immediately, 
who  pronounced  her  speedy  dissolution.  No  soon- 
er was  their  opinion  made  known  to  her  than  she 
requested  as  a  favor,  that  all  her  gay  companions 
might  be  collected  with  haste.  They  were  soon 
around  her  bed.  when  she  told  them  she  was  go- 
ing to  die,  described  the  awful  manner  in  which 
they  had  spent  their  precious  time,  and  exhorted 
them  all  to  repentance  before  it  was  too  late,  in 
a  very  affecting  manner.  She  then  turning  to  her 
father  and  mother,  addressed  to  them,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  her  acquaintance,  these  heart-rending 
words:  '•  You  have  been  the  unhappy  instruments 
of  my  being ;  you  fostered  me  in  pride,  and  led 
me  in  the  paths  of  sin ;  you  never  once  warned 
me  of  my  danger,  and  now  it  is  too  late.  In  a 
few  hours  you  will  have  to  cover  me  with  earth  ; 
but   remember,   while    you    are    casting    earth 


33 

upon  my  body,  my  soul  will  be  in  hell,  and  your- 
selves the  miserable  cause  !" — she  soon  after  ex- 
pired. 

d.  20.  Did  God  leave  all  mankind  to  perish  in  tlie  es- 
tate of  sin  and  misery  1 

A.  God  liavinjT,  out  of  his  mere  good  pleasure,  from 
all  eternity,  elected  some  to  everlasting  life,  did  enter 
into  a  covenant  of  grace,  to  deliver  them  out  of  the  estate 
of  sin  and  misery,  and  to  bring  them  into  an  estate  of  sal- 
vation by  a  Redeemer. 

The  late  Lord  Bollngbroke,  the  celebrated  In- 
fidel, was  one  day  reading  in  Calvin's  Institutions, 
when  a  clergyman  of  his  Lordship's  acquaintance 
came  on  a  visit  to  him.  Lord  B.  said  to  him, 
"  You  have  caught  me  reading  John  Calvin  :  he 
wa.s  indeed  a  man  of  great  parts,  profound  sense, 
and  vast  learning.  He  handles  the  doctrines  of 
grace  in  a  very  masterly  manner."  '■  Doctrines 
of  grace  /"  replied  the  clergyman  ;  '•  the  doc- 
trines of  grace  have  set  all  mankind  together  by 
the  ears."  "  I  am  surprised  to  hear  you  say  so," 
replied  Lord  B.  ;  you  who  profess  to  believe 
and  to  preach  Christianity.  Those  doctrines  are 
certainly  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  and  if  I  be- 
lieve the  Bible,  I  must  believe  them  ;  and  let  me 
tell  you  seriously,  that  the  greatest  miracle  in  the 
world  is,  the  subsistence  of  Christianity,  and  its 
continued  preservation  as  a  religion,  when  the 
preaching  of  it  is  committed  to  the  care  of  such 
unchristian  wrefches  as  you." 

A  good  man  who  had  been  for  a  long  time  per- 
plexed about  the  doctrine  of  election,  as  fearing 
he  was  not  among  the  number  chosen,  resolved  one 
day  to  fall  down  upon  his  knees,  and  give  thanks 
to  God  for  having  elected  some  to  everlasting 
life,  though  he  should  be  passed  by.     He  did  so, 


34 

and  the  happy  consequence  was,  that  while  thus 
engaged,  he  obtained  assurance  of  his  own  per- 
sona! election,  and  was  freed  from  the  perplexity. 

When  the  Rev.'  Geors;e  Whitefield  was  in  the 
zenith  of  his  popularity.  Lord  Clare,  who  knew 
that  his  influence  was  considerable,  applied  to 
him  by  letter,  requesting  his  influence  at  the  en- 
suing general  el  ction  at  Bristol.  J\lr.  White- 
field  replied,  that  in  general  elections  he  never 
interfered,  but  would  earnestly  entreat  his  lord- 
ship to  use  diligence  to  make  his  own  particular 
calling  and  election  sure. 

The  late  Mr.  Newton,  rector  of  St.  Mary 
Woolnoth.  when  his  memory  was  nearly  gone, 
used  to  say,  that  forget  what  he  might,  he  never 
forgot  two  things, — 1st,  That  he  was  a  great 
sinner, — 2d,  That  Jesus  Christ  was  a  great  Sa- 
vior. Two  most  important  subjects  of  recollec- 
tion. 

a.  21.  Who  is  the  Redeemer  of  God's  elect  1 
A.  The  only  Redeemer  of  God's  elect  is  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  wlio,  heinij  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  became  man, 
and  so  was,  and  continued  to  be  God  and  man,  in  two 
distinct  natures,  and  one  person,  for  ever. 

A  poor  man,  unable  to  read,  who  obtained  his 
livelihood  by  mending  old  shoes,  was  asked  by  an 
Arian  minister,  how  he  knew  that  Jesus  Christ 
was  the  Son  of  God  1  "  Sir,"  he  replied,  ''  I  am 
sorry  you  have  put  such  a  question  to  me  before 
my  children,  although  I  think  I  can  give  you  a 
satisfactory  answer.  You  know,  sir,  when  I 
first  became  concerned  about  my  soul,  and  un- 
happy on  account  of  my  sins,  I  called  upon  you 
to  ask  for  your  advice,  and  you  told  me  to  get  in- 
to company,  and  spend  my  time  as  merrily  as  I 


couli!,  but  not  to  eo  to  hear  tlie  methoclists." — 
"I  did  so,"  answered  the  ungodly  minister.  "I 
followed  3'onradvice,"  continued  the  illiterate  cob- 
bler, "tor  some  time;  but  the  more  1  trifled,  the 
more  my  misery  increased  ;  and  at  last  I  was  per- 
suaded to  hear  one  of  those  methodists  ministers 
who  came  into  our  neighborhood,  and  preached 
Jesus  Christ  as  the  Savior.  In  the  greatest  ago- 
ny of  mind,  I  praj^ed  to  Him  to  save  me,  and  to 
forgive  mv  sins;  and  now  I  feel  that  he  has  free- 
ly forgiven  them  ! — and  by  this  I  know  that  he  is 
the  Son  of  God."     • 

"  I  have  sometimes  heard  of  Christ,"  said  an 
Indian  girl,  seven  years  old.  "  and  now  I  expe- 
rience him  to  be  just  such  a  Savior  as  I  want. 
I  have  often  heard  people  undertake  to  tell  of  the 
excellency  that  is  in  Christ ;  but  their  tongues 
are  too  short  to  express  the  beauty  and  love  which 
are  contained  in  this  lovely  Jesus  !  I  cannot  tell 
my  poor  relations  how  lovely  Christ  is  !  I  won- 
der mv  poor  playmates  will  chose  that  dreadful 
place  Hell,  when  here  stands  that  beautiful  per- 
son, Jesus,  calling  upon  sinners,  and  saying, 
'  Com-^  away  sinners  to  heaven!'  Come.  O  do 
come  to  my  Savior!  Shut  him  out  no  longer, 
for  there  is  room  enough  in  heaven  for  all  of  you 
to  be  happy  for  evermore.  It  causes  much  joy 
at  times,  that  I  delight  to  serve  him;  and  by  the 
help  of  God  I  mean  to  hold  out  to  the  end  of  my 
days." 

Sometimes  there  were  more  kings  than  one  at 
Sparta,  who  governed  by  joint  authority.  A 
king  was  occasionally  sent  to  some  neighbouring 
senate,  in  character  of  a  Spartan  ambassador.   Did 


36 

he,  when  so  sent,  cease  to  be  a  king  of  Sparta, 
because  he  was  also  an  ambaesador  1  No ;  he  did 
not  divest  himself  of  his  regal  dignity;  but  only- 
added  to  it  that  of  public  deputation.  So  Christ, 
in  becoming  man,  did  not  cease  to  be  God  ;  but 
thous:h  he  ever  was,  and  still  continued  to  be  King 
of  the  whole  creation,  he  acted  as  the  voluntary 
servant  and  messenger  of  the  Father. 

Among  the  many  whom  Mr.  Whitefield  was 
honored  to  be  the  means  of  converting  to  the 
knowledge  and  love  of  the  truth,  and  who  will  be 
a  crown  of  joy  to  him  in  the  day  of  the  Lord,  it 
is  perhaps  not  generally  known  that  the  celebrated 
Mr.  Hervey  is  to  be  mentioned.  In  a  letter  to 
Mr.  Whitefield,  Mr.  Hervey  thus  expresses  him- 
self: "  Your  Journals,  dear  sir,  and  sermons,  es- 
pecially that  sweet  sermon  on  What  think  ye  oj 
Christ.  ?  were  the  means  of  bringing  me  to  th( 
knowledge  of  the  truth. 

d.  22.  How  did  Christ,  being  the  Son  of  God,  become 
man'! 

A.  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  became  man,  by  taking  to 
himself  a  true  body,  and  a  reasonable  soul,  being  con- 
ceived by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  the  Womb  of 
the  Virgin  Mary,  and  born  of  her,  yet  without  sin. 

When  the  late  Mr.  Hunt  was  preaching  one 
Sabbath  morning  at  his  meeting-house,  Horsley- 
down,  on  '•  The  mystery  of  godliness,"  he  took 
occasion  to  challenge  the  audience  to  explain  how 
God  assumed  human  nature  ;  when  a  little  boy  in 
the  gallery  rose,  and  with  much  simplicity  repeat- 
ed the  folloAving  answer  from  the  Assembly's 
Catechism,  "  Christ  the  Son  of  God  became 
man,"  &c.  Mr.  H.  then  enquired  if  he  could 
give  the  Scripture  proofs,  which,  after  a  short 


37 

pause,  he  did  correctly.  The  venerable  minister 
was  much  affected,  publicly  thanked  him,  called 
him  his  young  tutor,  and  invited  him  into  the  ves- 
try after  the  service,  where  several  persons  hand- 
somely rewarded  his  diligence. 

A  boy,  in  Haggerston  Fields,  near  London, 
having  a  book  under  his  arm,  was  asked  what 
book  it  was  ;  he  said,  the  New  Testament. 
Have  you  read  about  Jesus  Christ  in  it  ?  he  was 
asked.  No,  said  he,  I  am  only  in  at  Luke.  And 
immediately  ran  off.  Thus  thg  boy  showed,  that 
though  he  had  read  two  lives  of  Jesus  Christ,  viz. 
by  Matthew  and  I\Iark.  yet  had  not  considered 
whose  life  he  was  reading.  When  will  children 
be  wise  and  consider  ? 

CI.  23.  What  offices  does  Christ  execute  as  our  Re- 
deemer 1 

A.  Christ,  as  our  Redeemer,  executeth  the  offices  of  a 

Erophet,  of  a  priest,  and  of  a  king,  both  in  his  estate  of 
umihation  and  exaltation. 

'■  Several  persons  of  sixty  years  and  upwards," 
says  Mr.  Doolittle,  "  being  asked  concerning  the 
three  offices  of  Christ,  could  frive  no  other  ac- 
count  of  them  than  this,  that  they  were  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost." 

A  trader  once  endeavoring  to  persuade  the 
Indian  brothe-r  Abraham,  that  the  IMoravian  bre- 
thren were  not  privileged  teachers,  he  replied, 
'•  They  may  be  what  they  will ;  but  I  know  what 
they  have  told  me,  and  what  God  has  wrought 
within  me.  Look  at  my  poor  countrymen  there, 
lying  drunk  before  your  door.  Wliy  do  you  not 
send  privileged  teachers  to  convert  them,  if  they 
can  ?  Four  years  ago,  I  also  lived  like  a  beast,  and 
not  one  of  you  troubled  himself  about  me  ;  but 


38 

wLen  the  brethren  came  they  preached  the  cross 
of  Christ,  and  I  have  experienced  the  power  of 
his  blood,  according  to  their  doctrine,  so  t)iat  I 
am  freed  from  the  dominion  of  sin.  Such  teachers 
we  want." 

Gideon,  a  converted  Indian,  was  one  day  at- 
tacked by  a  savage,  who  presented  his  gun  to  his 
head,  exclaimed,  ''  Now  I  will  shoot  you,  for  you 
speak  of  nothing  but  Jesus."  CTideon  answered 
"  If  Jesus  does  not  permit  you,  you  cannot  shoot 
me."  The  savage  was  so  struck  with  this  an- 
swer, that  he  dropped  his  gun,  and  went  home 
in  silence, 

Cl.  24.  How  doth  Christ  execute-  the  office  of  a  pro- 
phet 1  * 

A.  Christ  executeth  the  office  of  a  prophet,  in  rcveahng 
to  us,  by  his  word  and  Spirit,  the  will  of  .God  for  our  sal- 
vation. 

The  comfortable  influence  of  the  precious  truths 
of  the  Bible  at  a  dying  hour,  was  manifested  in 
the  Case  of  a  poor  soldier,  who  was  mortally 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Waterloo.  His  com- 
panion conveyed  him  to  some  distance,  and  laid 
him  down  under  a  tree.  Before  he  left  him,  the 
dying  soldier  entreated  him  to  open  his  knapsack, 
and  take  out  his  pocket  bible,  and  read  to  him  a 
small  portion  of  it  before  he  died.  When  asked 
what  passages  he  should  read,  he  desired  him  to 
read  John  xiv.  27.  "Peace  I  leave  with  you; 
my  peace  I  give  unto  you ;  not  as  the  world 
giveth,  give  I  unto  you.  Let  not  your  heart  be 
troubled,  neither  let  it  be  afraid."  "  Now,"  said 
he,  "  I  die  happy.  I  desire  to  have  peace  with 
God,  and  I  possess  the  peace  of  God  which  pas- 
seth  all  understanding."     A  little  while  after,  one 


39 

of  his  officers  passed  him,  and  seeing  him  in  such 
an  exhausted  state,  asked  him  how  he  did.  He 
said,  "  I  die  happy,  for  I  enjoy  the  peace  ot"  God 
which  passeth  all  understanding,"  and  then  expi- 
red. The  officer  left  him,  and  went  into  the  bat- 
tle, whei'e  he  was  soon  after  mortally  wounded. 
When  s\irrounded  by  his  brother  officers,  full  of 
anguish  and  dismay,  he  cried  out,  '•  Oh  !  I  would 
give  ten  thousand  worlds,  if  I  had  them,  that  I 
possessed  that  peace  which  gladdened  the  heart 
of  a  dying  soldier,  whom  I  saw  lying  under  a 
tree  ;  for  he  declared  that  he  possessed  that  peace 
of  God  which  passeth  all  understanding,  I  know 
nothing  of  this  peace !  I  die  miserable  1  for  I  die 
in  despair."  ^ 

Dr.  Owen,  having  been  for  a  considerable  time 
in  distress  of  mind,  went  one  Lord's  day  with  a 
cousin  of  his  to  hear  Mr.  Calamy,  a  celebrated 
preacher  in  London.  From  some  occurrence 
Mr.  Calamy  was  prevented  from  preaching  that 
day.  Being  uncertain  whether  there  would  be 
any  sermon  at  all,  Dr.  Owen  was  solicited  by  his 
relation  to  go  and  hear  another  eminent  minister, 
Mr.  Jackson.  Being  indisposed  to  go  farther, 
however,  he  kept  his  seat,  resolving  if  no  minis- 
ter came,  to  return  to  his  lodgtng-s.  After  wait- 
ing  some  time,  a  country  minister  came  up  to 
the  pulpit ;  a  stranger,  not  only  to  Dr.  Ow?n 
but  to  the  congregation,  who,  having  priiyed 
earnestly,  took  for  his  text,  these  words.  Matt. 
viii.  26.  "Why  are  ye  fearful?  O  ye  of  little 
faith  !"  The  very  readingof  the  words- snrpri'^cd 
Dr.  Owen  ;  on  which  he  secretly  put  up  a  prnyer 
that  God  would  be  pleased  by  the  minister  to 
speak  to  his  case.     And  his  prayer  was  heard  ; 


40 

for  in  that  sermon,  tlie  minister  was  directed  to 
answer  those  very  objections  which  he  had  com- 
monly formed  against  himself;  and  though  he 
had  formerly  given  the  same  answers  to  himself 
without  effect,  yet  nov/  the  time  was  come,  when 
God  designed  to  speak  peace  to  his  soul:  and 
the  sermon,  (though  otherwise  a  plain  famjliar 
discourse,)  was  blessed  for  the  removing  of  all 
his  doubts,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  that  solid 
peace  and  comfort,  which  he  afterwards  enjoyed 
as  long  as  he  lived. 

CI.  25.  How  doth  Christ  execute  the  office  of  a  prie«t1 
A.  Christ  executeth  the  office  of  a  priest,  in  his  once 
offering  up  of  himself  a  sacrifice  to  satisfy  divine  justice, 
and  reconcile  us  to  God ;  and  in  making  continual  inter- 
cession for  us. 

Xenophon  mentions  an  Armenian  prince,  ta- 
ken captive,  together  with  his  queen,  by  Cyrus, 
who,  on  being  asked,  if  he  desired  the  restoration 
of  his  liberty,  his  kingdom,  and  his  queen,  an- 
swered. '•  As  for  my  liberty  and  my  kingdom,  I 
value  them  not ;  but  if  my  blood  would  redeem 
my  wife,  I  would  cheerfully  give  it."  Cyrus 
having  generously  restored  him  all.  he  asked  his 
queen  what  she  thought  of  Cyrus's  person,  she 
replied,  "  I  really  did  not  observe  him;  my  mind 
was  so  occupied  with  the  man  who  offered  to 
give  his  life  for  my  ransom  that  I  could  think  of 
no  other."  Jesus  Christ  has  actually  done  what 
this  prince  offered  to  do.  and  has  abundantly  ex- 
ceeded that  generous  action.  May  I  feel  a  similar 
regard  to  him.  so  as  to  overlook  all  other  objects. 

"  1  observed  a  little  Namaqua  Oirl  in  my  house," 
says  Mr.  Schmelen,  "  about  eight  years  of  age, 
with  a  book  in  her  hand,  very  accurntely  instruct- 
ins  another  frirl  about  fourteen.     When  I  asked 


41 

her  if  she  loved  the  Lord  Jesus  %  she  answered 
■  Yes,  I  do,  and  1  desire  to  love  him  more.'  I  in- 
quired why  she  loved  him,  since  she  had  never 
seen  him?  She  answered,  '  He  loved  me  first,  and 
died  tor  me  on  the  cross,  that  I  might  live.'  When 
I  asked  her  it"  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  would  love 
little  children,  she  could  not  answer  me  for  weep- 
ing, and  at  length  fainted  away.  I  had  frequently 
observed  this  child  under  deep  impressions  at  our 
meetings.  She  is  descended  from  a  wild  bushman 
and  was  stolen  from  her  people  and  country,  but 
has  no  desire  now  to  return." 

History  informs  us  of  two  brothers,  one  of 
whom,  for  capital  crimes,  was  condemned  to  die ; 
but  on  the  appearance  of  the  other,  who  had  lost 
an  arm  in  the  successful  defence  of  his  country, 
and  on  his  presenting  the  remaining  stump,  the 
judges  were  so  affected  with  a  grateful  recollection 
of  past  services,  as  fully,  for  his  sake,  to  pardon 
the  guilty  brother.  Thus  the  Kedeemer,  in  inter- 
ceding for  his  people,  appears,  "as  a  lamb  that 
had  been  slain,"  presenting  the  merits  of  his  suf- 
ferings and  death  on  their  behalf;  nor  does  he 
thus  appear  in  vain. 

CI.  26.  How  does  Christ  execute  the  ofiice  of  a  king  1 
A.  Christ  executeth  the  ollic-e  of  a  kinjj,  in  subduinif  us 

to  hiinsi'If.  in  ruIinjT  and  defendin<T  us,  and  in  restraining 

and  conijuering  all  his  and  our  eiuMuies. 

It  has  been  said  of  Edward  the  Black  Prince, 
that  he  never  fought  a  battle  which  he  did  not 
win  :  and  of  the  great  Duke  of  Marlborough,  that 
he  never  besieged  a  city  which  he  did  not  take. 
Shall  that  be  said  of  men,  which  we  deny  con- 
cerning the  Most  High  God  ?  Is  he  less  success 
ful  than  some  human  generals  ?  shall  these  invin- 

4* 


42 

cibly  prevail,  and  grace  be  liable  to  defeat?  Im- 
possible  !  The  former  of  these,  having  conquered 
and  taken  prisoner  king  John  of  France,  nobly 
condescended  to  wait  on  his  royal  captive  tJie 
same  night  at  supper.  Christ  having  first  subdued 
his  people  by  his  grace,  waits  on  them  afterwards 
to  their  lives'  end. 

Constantine  the  Great,  observing  the  failure  of 
his  predecessors,  who  sought  the  aid  of  their  idols 
determined  to  acknowledge  the  true  God  alone  ; 
in  which  resolution  he  was  strengthened  by  his 
pious  mother,  Helena.  Having  addressed  himself 
in  fervent  prayer,  his  supplications  were  remarka- 
bly answered.  Dusebius,  his  biographer,  affirms, 
that  while  on  his  march  against  iMaxentius,  one 
of  his  rivals,  he  beheld  in  the  heavens  a  luminous 
cross,  with  this  inscription,  By  this  overcome  I 
Constantine  was  deeply  impressed  ;  and  ponder- 
ing on  the  event,  as  the  story  states.  Christ  ap- 
peared to  him  on  the  following  night,  with  the 
same  sign  of  a  cross,  directing  him  to  make  use 
of  that  symbol  as  his  military  ensign.  He  obeyed; 
and  the  banner  of  the  cro.'^s  was  always  afterwards 
displayed  in  his  camp.  He  obtained  a  remarka- 
ble victory  over  Maxentius,  and  soon  became  sole 
emperor. 

7^he  Roman  Emperor  Julian,  a  determined 
enemy  of  Christianity,  was  mortally  wounded  in 
a  war  with  the  Persians.  In  this  condition,  we 
are  told,  that  he  filled  his  hand  with  blood,  and 
casting  it  into  the  air,  said,  "O  Galilean!  thou 
hast  conquered."  During  this  expedition,  one 
of  Julian's  followers  asked  a  christian  of  An- 
tioch,  ''  What  the  carpenter's  son  was  doing?" 


43 

"  The  Maker  of  the  word,"  replied  tne  chris- 
tian, "  whom  you  call  the  carpenter's  son,  is  era- 
ployed  in  making  a  coffin  for  the  emperor."  In 
a  few  days  after,  news  came  to  Antioch  of  Ju- 
lian's death. 

Gl.  27.  Wherein  did  Christ's  humiliation  consist  1 
A.  Christ's  humiliation  consisted  in  his  beinir  horn,  and 
that  in  a  low  condition,  made  under  the  law,  undergoing 
the  miseries  of  this  life,  the  wrath  of  God,  and  the  cursed 
death  of  the  cross ;  in  beinrr  buried,  and  continuing  under 
the  power  of  death  for  a  time. 

A  gentleman  being  with  Mr  Hervey  in  his 
garden,  he  plucked  a  rose  and  desired  the  gentle- 
man to  present  it  to  his  wife  to  put  her  in  mind 
of  her  Redeemer,  the  Ro.se  of  Sharon.  She  put 
such  respect  upon  the  giver  and  the  gift,  as  to 
put  it  into  a  frame  with  a  glass  ;  upon  hearing  of 
this,  he  wrote  the  gentleman.  ''  Your  lady  has 
shown  the  most  welcome  compl'aisance  to  me, 
and  to  the  rose,  in  putting  it  to  such  a  use  ;  and 
could  that  poor  vegetable  be  sensible,  it  would 
rejoice  to  be  a  remembrance  of  its  amiable  Crea- 
tor 1  heartily  wish  she  may  every  'day  become 
more  and  more  acquainted  with  the  Rose  of  Sha- 
ron ;  that  his  loveliness,  riches,  and  glory  may  be 
revealed  in  her  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost." 

A  little  boy,  between  four  and  five  years  old, 
vas  one  day  reading  to  his  mother  in  the  New 
Testament ;  and  when  he  came  to  these  words, 
*'  the  foxes  have  holes,  and  the  birds  of  the  air 
have  nests,  but  the  Son  of  Man  hath  not  where 
to  lay  his  head,"  his  eyes  filled  with  tears,  his 
tender  breast  heaved,  and  at  last  he  sobbed  aloud. 
His  mother  inquired  what  was  the  matter;  but 
for  some  time  he  could  not  an<'wer  her.  At 
length,  as  well  as   his  sobs   would  let  him,  he 


44 

said,  "  I  am  sure,  mamma,  if  I  had  been  there  I 
would  have  given  him  my  pillow." 

Dr.  Grosvenor's  first  wife  was  a  most  devout 
and  amiable  woman.  The  Sabbath  after  her 
death,  the  doctor  expressed  himself  from  the  pul- 
pit in  the  following  manner:  "I  have  had  ^ 
irreparable  loss ;  and  no  man  can  feel  a  loss  of 
this  consequence  more  sensibly  than  myself;  but 
the  cross  of  a  dying  Jesus  is  my  support :  I  fly 
from  one  death  for  refuge  to  anothtry'  How 
much  superior  was  the  comfort  of  the  christian 
divine  to  that  of  the  heathen  philosopher.  Pliny 
the  younger,  who  says,  that,  in  similar  distresses, 
study  was  his  only  relief 

Lewis  II.  of  France,  died  of  vexation,  occa- 
sioned by  the  revolt  of  his  son  Lewis  of  Bavaria. 
The  broken-hearted  father  said,  as  he  expired, 
•'  I  forgive  Lewis  ;  but  let  him  know,  he  has  been 
the  cause  of  my  death."  The  sins  of  God's  elect 
were  the  cause  of  the  Messiah's  death:  vet.  in 
dying  he  declared.  "  Fa,ther,  forgive  them  ;  for 
they  know  not  what  they  do." 

Cl.  28.  Wherein  consistoth  Christ's  exaltation  1 
A.  Christ's  exaltation  coii!?isteth  in  his  risinfrafiain  from 
the  dead  on  the  third  day,  in  ascending  up  into  heaven, 
in  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God  the  Father;  and  in 
coming  to  judge  the  world  at  the  last  day. 

A  little  child  when  dying,  was-asked  where  it 
was  going?  "To  heaven."  said  the  child.  "And 
what  makes  you  wish  to  be  there  ?"  said  one. 
"  Because  Christ  is  there."  replied  tlie  child. 
"  But,"  p^id  a  friend,  "  what  if  Christ  should  leave 
heaven?"  "Well,"  said  the  child,  "1  will  go 
with  him."  Some  time  before  its  departure,  it 
expressed  a  wish  to  have  a  golden  crown  when 


45 

it  died.  "And  what  will  you  do,"  said  one, 
"with  the  golden  crown?"  "I  will  take  the 
crown,"  said  the  child,  ••  and  cast  it  at  the  feet  of 
Christ "  Does  not  such  a  child,  to  use  the  lan- 
guage of  prophec)',  die  a  hundred  years  old  ? 

A  Christian  king  of  Hungary,  being  very  sad 
and  pensive,  his  brother,  who  was  a  gay  courtier, 
was  desirous  of  knowing  the  cause  of  the  sad 
nes#  '■  Oh,  brother."  said  the  king,  "  I  have 
been  a  great  sinner  against  God,  and  know  not 
how  to  die,  or  how  to  appear  before  God,  in 
judgment!  '  The  brother  making  a  jest  of  it 
said,  '■  These  are  but  gloomy  thoughts."  The 
king  made  no  reply,  but  it  was  the  custom  of  the 
country  that  if  the  executioner  came  and  sound- 
ed the  trumpet  before  any  man's  door,  he  was 
presently  led  to  execution.  The  kin^-  in  the 
dead  of  the  night,  sent  the  executioner  to  sound  the 
trumpet  before  his  brother  s  door :  who  hearing 
it,  and  seeing  the  messenger  of  death,  sprang  in- 
to the  king's  presence,  beseeching  him  to  know 
inwhathehadolfended.  "Alas!  brother,'  said  the 
king,  '•  you  have  ijever  offended  me.  And  is  the 
sight  of  my  executioner  so  dreadful?  and  shall 
not  I,  who  have  greatly  offended,  fear  to  be 
brought  before  the  judgement  seat  of  Christ?" 

"  On  January  last,"  said  a  pious  father  in  writing 
to  his  friends,  "  I  dreamed  that  the  day  of  judg- 
ment was  come.  I  saw  the  Judge  on  his  great 
white  throne,  and  all  nations  were  gathered  be- 
fore him.  My  wife  and  I  were  on  the  right  hand  ; 
but  I  could  not  see  my  children.  1  said.  I  cannot 
bear  this ;  I  must  go  and  seek  them  I  went  to 
the  left  hand  of  the  judge,  and  there  found  them 


46 

all  standing  in  the  utmost  despair.  As  soon  as 
they  saw  me,  they  caught  hold  of  me  and  cried, 
'•  O  !  father  we  will  never  part."  I  said. -my 
dear  children,  I  am  come  to  try,  if  possible,  to 
get  you  out  of  this  awful  situation."  So  J  took 
them  all  with  me.  but  when  we  came  near  the 
Judge  I  thought  he  cast  an  angry  look,  and  said 
"What  do  thy  children  with  thee  now?  they 
would  not  take  thy  warning  when  on  earth  and 
they  shall  not  share  with  thee  the  crown  iu%ea- 
ven ;  depart  ye  cursed."  At  these  words,  I 
awoke  bathed  in  tears.  A  while,  after  this,  as 
we  were  all  sitting  together  on  a  Sabbath  eve- 
ning, I  related  to  them  my  dream.  No  sooner 
did  [  begin  than  first  one,  and  then  another,  yea, 
all  of  them  burst  into  tears,  and  God  fastened 
conviction  on  their  hearts.  Five  of  them  are 
rejoicing  in  God  their  Savior;  and  I  believe, 
the  Lord  is  at  work  with  the  other  two,  so  that 
I  doubt  not  he  will  give  them  also  to  my  prayers. 

Q,.  29.  How  arc  we  made  partakers  of  the  redemption 
purchased  by  Christ  1 

A.  We  are  made  partakers  of  the  redemption  purchased 
by  Christ,  by  the  effectual  application  of  it  to  us  by  his 
Holy  Spirit. 

When  Bishop  Butler  lay  on  his  death-bed,  he 
called  for  his  chaplain,  and  said,  "  Though  I  have 
endeavored  to  avoid  sin,  and  to  please  God,  to 
the  utmost  of  my  power,  yet,  from  the  conscious- 
ness of  perpetual  infirmities,  I  am  still  afraid  to 
die."  '•  IMy  Lord,"  said  the  chaplain,  '•  you  have 
forgotten  that  Jesus  Christ  is  a  Savior." — 
•■  I'rue."  was  the  answer;  "but  how  shall  I 
know  that  he  is  a  Savior  for  mef' — "  My  Lord, 
it  is  written,  '  Ilim  that  cometh  unto  mc  I  wili 


47 

in  no  wise  cast  out.^  "  "  True, '  said  the  TBi'sTiop'; 
"  and  I  am  surprised,  that  thousfh  I  have  read  that 
Scripture  a  tnousand  times  ov'er,tI  never  felt 
its  virtue  till  this  moment;  and  now  I  die  happy." 

Several  learned  men  tried  to  persuade  a  great 
scholar  to  believe  in  Christianity ;  but  it  seems 
all  their  labor  was  vain.  A  plain  honest  per- 
son, however,  managed  the  argument  in  a  dilfer- 
ent  manner,  by  referring  not  so  much  to  logical 
reasoning,  as  to  the  work  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  so 
that  at  last  the  scholar  exclaimed,  "  When  I 
heard  no  more  than  human  reason  I  opposed  it 
with  human  reason ;  but  when  I  heard  the  Spirit, 
I  was  obliged  to  surrender."  I'hus  it  is.  the 
wisest  trusting  to  their  own  wisdom  are  lost; 
while  those  who  are  taught  of  the  Spirit,  know 
the  way  of  God  in  truth. 

Mr.  Guthrie,  an  eminent  mini.sterin  Scotland, 
was  one  evening  travelling  home  very  late.  Hav- 
ing lost  his  way  in  a  moor,  he  laid  the  reins  on 
the  neck  of  his  horse,  and  committed  himself  to 
the  direction  of  Providence.  After  long  travel- 
ling over  ditches  and  fields,  the  horse  brought 
him  to  a  farmer's  house,  into  which  he  went,  and 
requested  permission  to  set  by  the  fire  till  morn- 
ing, which  was  granted.  A  popish  priest,  was 
administering  extreme  unction  to  the  mistress 
of  the  house,  who  was  dying.  ]\Ir.  (^uthrie 
said  nothing  till  the  priest  had  retired;  then  he 
went  forward  to  the  dying  woman,  and  asked  her 
if  she  enjoyed  peace  in  the  prospect  of  death,  in 
consequence  of  what  the  priest  had  said  and  done 
to  her.  She  answered  that  she  did  not ;  on  which 
he  spoke  to  her  of  Salvation  through  the  atoning 


48 

blood  of  the  Redeemer.  ■  The  Lord  taught  her  to 
understand,  and  enabled  her  to  believe  the  mes- 
sage of  mercy,  and  she  died  triumphing  in  Jesus 
Christ  her  Savior.  After  witnessing  this  aston- 
ishing scene,  Mr.  CTuthrie  mounted  his  horse,  and 
rode  home.  On  his  arrival,  he  told  Mrs.  Guthne 
he  had  seen  a  2;reat  wonder  durino-  the  nioht. 
"I  came,"  said  he,  "to  a  farm  house,  where  I 
found  a  woman  in  a  state  of  nature,  I  saw  her  in 
a  state  of  grace  ;  and  left  her  in  a  state  of  glory." 

Q,.  30.  How  doth  the  Spirit  apply  to  us  the  redemption 
purchased  by  Christ  1 

A.  The  Spirit  applieth  to  us  the  redemption  purchased 
by  Christ,  by  working  faith  in  us,  and  thereby  uniting  us 
to  Christ  in  our  effectual  calling. 

Mrs.  Romaine  was  once  in  company  with  a 
clergyman,  at  Tiverton,  who  ran  out  witih  no  little 
zeal  against  what  he  called  "  irresistible  grace ;" 
alleging  that  "such  grace  would  be  quite  incom- 
patable  with  free  will.'"  '•  Not  at  all  so."  answer- 
ed Mrs.  Romaine;  ''grace  operates  effectually, 
yet  not  coercively.  The  wills  of  God's  people 
are  drawn  to  him  and  divine  things,  just  as  your 
will  would  be  drawn  to  a  bishopric,  if  you  had 
the  offer  of  it." 

A  talking  lady,  of  that  sect  that  honestly  avow 
their  Arminian  sentiments,  was  one  evening  en- 
gaged in  a  dispute  with  a  gentleman  of  the  oppo- 
site opinion,  and  argued  so  long,  and  so  violently 
in  defence  of  the  creature's  hein^  first  in  the  mat- 
ter of  conversion  to  God,  that  to  her  surprise,  she 
preceived  it  was  one  o\.lnck  in  the  morninir.  She 
started,  and  said,  "  Well,  T  have  not  thought  it  was 
so  late  ;  I  see  I  cannot  work  upon  you,  and  I  am 
sure  all  you  say  will  not  convince  me;  so  good 


49 

Aight."  "  Yes,"  said  the  gentleman,  "  it  is  time 
do  go  to  rest.  Madam,  I  wish  you  a  good  night. 
1  suppose,  however,  that  when  you  retire,  you 
think  to  spend  a  few  minutes  between  you  and 
God."  '•  Doubtless,  sir,  I  do."  "  Please  then, 
madam,  to  tell  God  what  you  have  just  told  me." 
■'  What  is  that,  sir?"  "  Why,  madam,  that  you 
began  wjth  him  before  he  began  with  you."  '•  No, 
I  will  not."  said  she.  "  I  knew  you  would  not." 
replied  the  gentleman,  "  and  therefore  I  reserved 
this  argument  to  the  last ;  for  I  never  found  any 
person  of  your  opinion,  that  could  address  God.  in 
consistency  with  the  language  which  you  hold 
out  so  confidently  to  your  fellow-mortals."  She 
was  evidently  hurt  by  this  simple  confutation  ; 
went  away  without  answering  a  word,  and  never 
spoke  to  him  afterwards. 

"  I  have  had  six  children,"  said  Mr.  Elliot, 
"  and  I  bless  God  for  his  free  grace  they  are  all 
either  with  Christ,  or  in  Christ ;  and  my  mind 
is  now  at  rest  concerning  them.  My  desire  was, 
that  they  should  have  served  Christ  on  earth ; 
but  if  God  Avill  choose  to  have  them  rather  serve 
him  in  heaven,  I  have  nothing  to  object  to  it. 
His  will  be  done." 

Q,.  31.  What  i.«  effectual  calling  7 

A,  EflVctual  calliniT  is  the  work  of  God's  Spirit,  whore- 
by,  convincin<f  us  of  our  s-in  and  misery,  enli«,'hteiiiniT  our 
minds  in  tlie  knowledire  of  Christ,  and  rcncwinL'  our  wills, 
he  doth  |)er.su;ide  and  enable  us  to  embrace  J<'sus  Christ, 
freely  otlVred  to  us  in  the  gospel. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Doolittle  used  tu  catechise 
the  members,  and  especially  the  young  pcojjle.  of 
hia  congregation,  every  Lord's  day.  One  Sab- 
bath evening,  after  having  received  an  answer  ia 

5 


.      50 

the  words  of  the  Assembly's  Catechism,  to  the 
question,  "  What  is  effectual  calling  V  and  hav- 
ing explained  it,  he  proposed  that  the  question 
should  be  answered  by  changing  the  words  us  and 
our,  into  ?ne  and  my.  Upon  this  proposal,  a 
solemn  silence  followed  ;  many  felt  its  vast  im- 
portance; but  none  had  courage  to  answer.  At 
length  a  young  man  rose  up  and  with  every  mark 
of  a  broken  and  contrite  heart,  by  divine  grace, 
was  enabled  to  say,  "  Effectual  calling  is  the 
work  of  God  s  Spirit,  whereby  convincing  me  of 
mi/  sin  and  misery,  enlightening  mv  mind  in  the 
knowledge  of  Christ,  and  renewing  m^/  will,  he 
did  persuade  and  enabled  me  to  embrace  Jesus 
Christ,  freely  offered  to  mc  in  the  gospel."  The 
scene  was  truly  affecting.  The  proposal  of  that 
question  had  commandedunusual  solemnity.  The 
rising  up  of  the  young  man  had  created  high  ex- 
pectations, and  the  answer  being  accompanied 
with  proofs  of  unfeigned  piety  and  modest)-,  the 
congregation  was  bathed  in  tears.  This  young 
man  had  been  convicted  by  being  catechised,  and 
to  his  honor.  Mr.  D.  says,  "From  being  an  ig- 
norant and  wicked  youth,  he  had  become  an  in- 
telligent professor  to  God's  glorjr,  and  my  much 
comfort " 

Mr.  George  Whitefield  was  preaching  once  at 
Easter,  in  England.  A  man  was  present,  who 
had  loaded  his  pockets  with  stones,  in  order  to 
throw  them  at  Mr  W.  He  heard  his  prayer, 
however,  with  patience  ;  but  no  sooner  had  he 
named  his  text,  than  the  man  pulled  a  stone  out 
of  his  pocket,  and  held  it  in  his  hand,  waiting  for 
a  fair  opportunity  to  throw  it.  But  (lod  sent  a 
word  to  his  heart ;  and  the  stone  dropped  from 


51 

his  hand.  After  sermon,  he  went  to  Mr  W.  and 
told  him,  "  Sir.  1  came  to  hear  you  this  day.  with 
a  view  to  break  your  head,  but  the  Spirit  of  (lod 
throiiojh  your  ministry,  has  given  me  a  broken 
heart."  The  man  proved  to  be  a  sound  con- 
vert, and  lived  an  ornament  to  the  g;osp(;l. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Partridge,  one  of  the  ejected 
ministers  in  England,  having  once  preached  at  St. 
Alban's  upon  those  words.  Rev.  iii.  18  '•'  Anoint 
thine  eyes  with  eye-salve,  that  thou  niayest  see;" 
a  poor  man  who  was  as  blind  in  mind,  as  he  was 
in  body,  went  afterwards  to  his  house,  and  asked 
him  very  gravely,  '•  where  he  might  gtit  that  oint- 
ment to  cure  his  blindness?"  It  is  to  be  hoped 
the  minister  improved  the  occasion,  for  saying 
something  to  this  ignorant  creature,  with  a  view 
to  open  the  eyes  of  his  mind,  though  we  are  not 
informed  re.specting  it. 

CI.  3-3.  Wli.-it  benefits  do  they  that  are  effectually  called 
partake  of  in  this  life  1 

A.  They  that  are  effectually  called  do  in  lhi.s  life  par- 
take of  justification,  adoption,  and  sanctification,  and  the 
several  benefits  which  in  this  life  do  either  accompany  or 
flow  from  them. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Doolittle,  a  godly  faitliful  mi- 
nister, of  the  seventeenth  century,  having  finished 
prayer,  looked  round  upon  the  congregation,  and 
observing  a  young  man  who  had  ju^t  been  put 
into  one  of  the  pews,  very  uneasy  in  his  situation, 
adopted  the  following  singular  expedient  to 
detain  him: — Turning  to  one  of  the  niemb-:^rs  of 
his  church,  who  sat  in  the  gallery,  he  asked  him 
this  question  aloud,  '•  Brother,  do  you  repent  of 
coming  to  Christ?"  "  No.  sir,"  he  replied."! 
never  was  happy  till  I  came ;  I  only  re-pent  that  I 
did  not  come  to  him  sooner."     The  minister  then 


52 

turned  to  the  opposite  gallery,  and  addressed  him 
self  to  an  asfed  member  in  the  same  manner 
"  Brother,  do  you  repent  of  coming  to  Christ  ?' 
"No,  sir;"  said  he,  '-I  have  known  the  Lord 
from  my  youth  upwards."'  He  then  looked  down 
upoji  the  young  man.  whose  attention  was  fully 
engaged,  and  fixing  his  eyes  upon  him  said, 
"  Young  man,  are  you  willing  to  come  to  Christ  ?" 
This  unexpected  address  from  the  pulpit,  exciting 
the  observation  of  all  the  people,  so  affected  him, 
that  he  sat  down  and  concealed  his  face.  -Tho 
person  who  sat  next  him  encouraged  him  to  rise 
and  answer  the  question.  1'he  minister  repeated, 
'•'•  Young  man.  are  you  willing  to  come  to  Christ?  ' 
With  a  tremuloils  voice,  he  replied.  "  Yes.  sir." 
"  But  «'//c?z,  sir?"  added  the  minister,  in  a  solemn 
and  loud  tone.  He  mildly  answered.  "  Now, 
sir."  "  Then  stay,"  said  he,  "  and  learn  the 
word  of  God,  which  you  will  find  in  2  Cor.  vi.  2. 
'  Behold,  now  is  the  accepted  time  ;  behold,  now 
is  the  day  of  .salvation.'  "  By  this  sermon  he  was 
greatly  affected  and  came  into  the  vestry,  after 
the  service,  bathed  in  tears.  The  relustance  to 
stay,  which  he  had  discovered,  was  occasioned 
by  the  strict  injunctions  of  his  father,  who  threat- 
ened that  if  he  went  to  hear  the  fanatics,  he 
would  turn  him  out  of  doors.  Having  now 
heard  the  gospel,  and  being  unable  to  conceal  the 
feelings  of  his  mind,  he  was  afraid  to  meet  hi9 
father.  The  minister  sat  down  and  wrote  an  af- 
fectionate letter  to  him,  which  had  so  good  an 
effect,  that  both  father  and  mother  crime  to  hear 
for  themselves.  They  were  both  brought  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  truth  :  and  together  with  their 
son.  were  joyfully  received  into  christian  com- 
munion. 


53 

Mr.  Matthew  Henry,  a  little  before  his  death, 
said  to  a  friend,  '"  You  have  been  used  to  take  no- 
tice of  the  sayings  of  dying  men:  this  is  niine, 
That  a  life  spent  in  the  service  of  God.  and  com- 
munion with  him,  is  the  most  comfortable  and 
pleasant  life  that  any  one  can  live  in  this  world." 

a.^3.3.  What  is  justification  7 

A.  Justification  is  an  act  of  God's  free  ?racc,  wherein 
he  pardoneth  all  our  sins,  and  acceptcth  us  as  ri^fhtcous  in 
his  sijrht,  only  for  the  righteousness  of  Ciirist  imputed  to 
us,  and  received  by  faith  alone. 

Mr.  Fleming,  in  his  Fulfilling  of  the  Scriptures, 
relates  the  case  of  a  man  who  wa.-!  a  very  great 
sinner,  and  for  his  horrible  wickedness  was  put  to 
death  in  the  town  of  Ayr.  This  man  had  been  so 
stupid  and  brutish  a  fellow,  that  all  wbo  knew  him 
thought  him  beyond  the  reach  of  all  ordinary 
means  of  grace  ;  but  while  the  man  was  in  prison, 
the  Lord  wonderfully  wrought  on  his  heart,  and  in 
such  a  measure  discovered  to  him  his  sinfulness, 
that  after  much  serious  exercise  and  sore  wrest- 
ling, a  most  kindly  work  of  repentance  followed 
with  great  assurance  of  mercy,  insomuch,  that 
when  he  came  to  the  place  of  execution,  he  could 
not  cease  crying  out  to  the  people,  under  the 
sense  of  pardon,  and  the  comforts  of  the  presence 
and  favor  of  God:  "  O,  He  is  a  great  forgiver! 
He  is  a  great  forgiver!"  And  he  added  the  fol- 
lowing words  :  "  Now  hath  perfect  love  cast  out 
fear.  I  know  God  hath  nothing  to  lay  against 
me,  for  Jesus  Christ  hath  paid  all ;  and  those  are 
free  whom  the  Son  makes  free.  ' 

In  the  parish  where  Mr.  Hervey  preached, 
when  he  inclined  to  Arminian  sentiments,  there 
resided  a  ploughman,  who  usually  attended  tho 

5* 


54 

ministry  of  Dr.  Doddridge,  and  was  well  informed 
in  the  doctrines  of  grace.  Mr.  Hervey  being  ad- 
vised by  his  physician,  for  the  benefit  of  Jiis  health, 
to  foil  w  the  plough,  in  order  to  smell  the  fresh 
earth:  frequently  accompanied  this  ploughman  in 
his  rural  employment.  Mr.  Hervey,  understand- 
ing the  ploughman  was  a  serious  person,  said  to 
him  one  morning.  "  What  do  you  think  is  the 
hatdest  thing  in  religion  ?"  To  which  he  replied, 
"  I  am  a  poor  illiterate  man,  and  you,  sir,  are  a 
minister :  I  bog  leave  to  return  the  question." 
"  Then,"  said  ?>Ir.  Hervey,  "  I  think  the  hardest 
thing  is  to  deny  sinful  self;"  and  applauded  at 
some  length  this  instance  of  self-denial.  The 
ploughman  replied,  "  Mr.  Hervey.  you  have  for- 
got the  greatest  act  of  the  grace  of  self-denial, 
v.'hich  is  to  deny  ourselves  of  a  proud  confidence 
in  our  own  obedience  for  justification."  In  re- 
peating this  story  to  a  friend,  Mr.  Hervey  ob- 
served :  ••  I  then  hated  the  righteousne.ss  of 
Christ:  I  looked  at  the  man  with  astonishment 
and  disdain,  and  thought  him  an  old  fool.  1  have 
since  clearly  seen  who  was  the  fool;  not  the  wise 
old  Christian,  but  the  proud  James  Flervej'." 

The  late  Mr.  Reynolds  of  Bristol,  being  im- 
portuned by  a  friend  to  sit  for  his  portrait,  he  at 
last  consented. — '•  How  would  you  like  to  be 
painted  ?"  "  Sitting  among  books."  "  Any  book 
in  particular?"  "  7'he  Bible."  "Open  at  anj^ 
part?'  At  the  fifth  chapter  of  the  Romans; 
the  first  to  be  legible  :  '  Therefore  being  justified 
by  FAITH,  we  have  peace  with  God,  through  our 
Lord  J^,sus  Christ.'  " 

Q,.  34.  What  is  adoption'? 

A.  Adoption  is  an  act  of  God's  free  grace,  whereby  wt» 


55 


are  received  into  tiie  nuinber,  and  have  a  right  to  all  the 
privile;fes  of  the  sons  ofCiod. 

A  Caffre  boy,  twelve  years  old,  was  asked 
whether  he  did  not  repent  having  coming  to 
Gnadenthall,  the  missionary  settlement  of  the 
Moravian  brethren.  On  his  answering  in  the  ne- 
gative, the  missionary  observed,  "  But  in  the 
Caffre  country  you  had  meat  in  plenty,  and  ex- 
cellent milk,  and  here  you  can  get  neither.  "  To 
this  he  replied,  '•  It  is  very  true  ;  but  I  wish  to 
become  a  child  of  God  ;  and  I  hear  in  this  place 
how  I  may  attain  it  whilst  in  my  own  country 
I  hear  nothing  of  it.  I  rejoice,  therefore,  that  I 
am  come  hither  and  am  satisfied  with  any  thing." 

The  Rev.  INIr.  Thomas  Boston,  whose  praise  is 
in  all  the  churche;],  was  one  Sabbath  evening  sit- 
ting in  his  room,  musing  upon  his  sinfulness,  and 
much  dejected.  One  of  his  children  came  forward 
to  him,  and  said  •■  Father,  did  you  not  say  in  the 
church  to-day,  that  though  we  were  rebellious 
children,  yet  we  were  children  still  ?"  The  child 
thus  bringing  his  own  words  to  his  recollection, 
was  a  means  of  restoring  peace  to  his  mind. 

A  Popish  priest  in  Ireland,  who  is  making  the 
Scriptures  his  daily  study,  and  is  an  advocate  for 
the  schools  in  that  country,  which  most  of  the 
priests  oppose,  lately  met  one  of  the  scholars  going 
to  school,  and  asked  him.  what  book  it  was  he 
carried  under  his  arm  ?  '•  It  is  a  will,  sir,"  said 
the  boy.  "  What  will  ?"  rejoined  the  priest. 
"  The  last  will  and  testament  that  Jesus  Christ 
left  to  me,  and  to  all  who  desire  to  chiim  a  title  in 
the  property  therein  bequeathed,"  replied  the  boy. 
"  What  did  Christ  leave  you  in  that  will  ?'  "  A 
kingdom,  sir."    "  Where  does  that  kingdom  lie  ?" 


56 

"  It  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  sir."  "  And  do 
you  expect  to  reign  as  a  king  there  ?"  "  Yes,  sir ; 
as  joint  heir  with  Christ."  "  And  will  not  every 
person  get  there  as  well  as  you  ?"  "  No.  sir : 
none  can  get  there  but  those  that  clum  their  title, 
to  that  kingdom  upon  the  ground  of  the  will :" 
The  priest  asked  several  other  questions,  to  which 
the  bov  gave  such- satisfactory  answers  as  quite 
astonished  him.  "  Indeed,"  said  he,  '-you  are  a 
good  little  boy:  take  care  of  the  book  wherein 
God  gives  you  such  precious  promises ;  believe 
what  he  has  said,  and  you  will  be  happy  here  and 
hereafter." 

Q,.  35.  What  is  sanctification  1 

A.  Sanctification  is  the  work  of  God'.s  free  grace, 
whereby  we  are  renewed  in  the  whole  man  after  the  im- 
age of  God,  and  are  enabled  more  and  more  to  die  unto 
sin,  and  live  unto  righteousness. 

Two  or  three  years  before  Mr.  Newton's  death, 
when  his  sight  was  become  so  dim,  that  he  was 
no  longer  able  to  read,  an  aged  friend  and  brother 
in  the  ministry,  called  on  him  to  breakfast.  Fami- 
ly prayers  succeeding,  the  portion  of  Scripture  for 
the  day  was  read  to  him.  It  was  taken  out  of 
Bogatsky's  Golden  Treasury  ;  ''  By  the  grace  of 
God  I  am  what  I  am."  It  was  the  pious  man's 
custom,  on  these  occasions,  to  make  a  short  fa- 
miliir  exposition  on  the  passage  read.  After  the 
reading  of  this  text,  he  paused  for  some  moments, 
and  then  uttered  the  following  aftecting  soliloquy: 
"  1  am  not  what  I  ought  to  be.  Ah  !  how  im- 
perfect and  deficient !  I  am  not  what  I  u-hh  to 
be!  I  abhor  what  is  evil,  and  I  would  cleave  to 
what  is  good  !  I  am  not  what  I  hope  to  be  ; 
soon,  soon,  I  shall  put  off  mortality,  and  with 
mortality  all  sin  and  imperfection.     Yet,  though 


57 

I  am  not  wliat  I  ought  to  be,  nor  what  I  toisk  to 
be,  nor  what  I  hope  to  be,  I  can  truly  say.  I  am 
not  what  I  once  was, — a  sLive  to  sin  and  Satan; 
and  1  can  heartily  join  with  the  apostle,  and  ac- 
knowledge, '  By  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  what  I 
am!'      Let  us  pray." 

A  friend  of  Archbishop  Usher  repeatedly  urged 
Vifti  to  write  on  sanctification ;  which  at  length  he 
engaged  to  do  ;  but  a  considerable  time  elapsing, 
the  pcrfdrmanee  of  his  promise  was  importunate- 
ly claimed.  Tiie  bishop  replied  to  this  purpose  : 
"  I  have  not  written,  and  yet  I  cannot  charge 
myself  Avith  a  breach  of  promise  ;  for  I  began  to 
write  but  when  I  came  to  treat  of  the  new  crea- 
ture which  God  formeth  by  his  Spirit  in  every  re- 
generate soul,  I  found  so  little  of  it  wrought  in 
myself,  that  I  could  speak  of  it  only  as  parrots,  or 
by  rote,  without  the  knowledge  of  what  I  might 
have  expressed  ;  and  therefore,  I  durst  not  pre- 
sume to  proceed  any  further  upon  it."  Amazed 
to  hear  so  holy  a  man  speak  in  this  manner ;  the 
bishop  added,  "  I  must  tell  you.  we  do  not  under- 
stand what  sanctification  and  the  new  creation 
are.  It  is  no  less  than  for  a  man  to  be  brought 
to  an  entire  resignation  to  the  will  of  God.  and 
to  live  in  the  offering  up  of  his  soul  continually 
in  the  flames  of  love,  as  a  whole  burnt-olfering 
to  Chrisi;  and  oh  !  how  many  who  profess  Chris- 
tianity are  unacquainted  experimentally,  with 
this  great  work  upon  their  souls  !" 

King:  Robert  Bruce,  the  restorer  of  the  Scot- 
tish  monarchy,  being  out  one  day  reconnoitenng 
the  enemy,  lay  at  night  in  a  barn,  belonging  to  a 
loyal  cottager.  In  the  morning,  still  reclining  his 
head  on  the  pillow  of  straw,  he  beheld  a  spider 


58 

climbing  up  the  beam  of  the  roof.  The  insect 
fell  to  the  ground,  but  immediately  made  a  second 
essay  to  ascend.  This  attracted  the  notice  of  the 
hero,  who,  with  regret,  saw  the  spider  fall  a  se- 
cond time  from  the  eminence.  It  made  a  third 
unsuccessful  attempt.  Not  without  a  mixture  of 
concern  and  curiosity,  the  monarch  twelve  times 
beheld  the  insect  balHed  in  his  design  ;  but  its 
thirteenth  essay  was  crowned  with  success  ;  it 
gained  the  summit  of  the  barn  ;  w  hen  the  King 
starting  from  his  couch,  exclaimed,  "  This  des- 
picable insect  has  taught  me  perseverance  !  1  will 
follow  its  example  ;  have  I  not  been  twelve  times 
defeated  by  the  enemy's  superior  force  ;  on  one 
fight  more  hangs  the  independence  of  my  coun- 
try.' In  a  few  days,  his  anticipations  were  fully 
realized,  by  the  glorious  result  to  Scotland  of 
the  battle  of  Bannockburn.  Let  the  christian 
learn  both  from  the  insect  and  the  patriot  to  per- 
severe in  his  endeavors,  to  overcome  his  spiritual 
enemies,  and  to  gain  the  crown  of  glorv.  Con- 
staufy  will  issue  in  his  reaching  the  objects  of 
his  holy  ambition. 

CI.  36.  What  are  the  benefits  which  in  this  life  do  ac- 
company or  flow  from  ju-stificution,  adoption,  and  sanctifi- 
catiou  ] 

A.  The  l>ciiefitfi  whicli  in  this  life  do  accompany  or 
flow  from  justitication,  adoption,  and  sanctifieation,  arc, 
assurance  of  (tod's  love,  peace  of  conscience,  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  increase  of  grace,  and  perseverance  therein 
to  the  end. 

The  celebrated  Philip  de  Morney,  prime  min 
ister  to  Henry  the  l\"th  of  France,  one  of  the 
greatest  statesmen,  the  bravest  officers,  and  the 
most  exemplary  christian  of  his  age;  being  asked 
a  little  before  his.  death,  if  he  still  retained  the 


59 

same  assured  hope  of  future  bliss,  which  he  had 
so  comfortably  enjoyed  durinp;  his  illness,  made 
this  memirahle  reply,  "  I  am,"  said  he,  '•  as  con- 
fident of  it,  from  the  incontestible  evidence  of  the 
Spirit  of  God.  as  ever  I  was  of  any  mathematical 
truth  from  all  the  demonstration  of  Euclid." 

Mr.  Kidd.  when  minist'T  of  Queensferry.  a  few 
miles  from  Edinburgh,  was  one  day  very  much 
depressed  and  discouraged,  for  want  of  that  com- 
fort which  is  produced  by  the  faith  of  the  gospel 
alone.  He  sent  a  note  to  Mr.  L ,  minister  of 
Culross,  a  few  miles  off,  informing  him  of  his 
distress  of  mind,  and  desiring  a  visit  as  soon  as 
possible.  Mr.  L.  told  the  servant,  he  was  so  busy 
that  he  could  not  wait  upon  his  master  but  de- 
sired him  to  tell  Mr.  K.  to  rcjnemhcr  Tnrwnnd  ! 
When  tlie  servant  returned,  he  said  to  his  master, 
"Mr.^L.  could  not  come,  but  he  desired  me  to 
tell  you,  to  remember  Torwnod  !"  This  answer 
immediately  struck  Mr.  K.,  and  he  cried  out, 
"  Yes,  Lord !  I  will  remember  T/ice.  from  the 
hill  Mizar,  and  from  the  hermonites!"  All  his 
troubles  and  darkness  vanished  upon  the  recollec- 
tion of  a  day  which  he  had  formerly  spent  in 
prayer,  along  with  Mr.  L.  in  Torwood.  where  he 
nad  enjoyed  eminent  communion  with  God. 

When  Lord  North,  during  the  American  war, 
sent  to  the  reverend  Mr.  Fletcher  of  Medelej', 
(who  had  written  on  that  unfortunate  war.  in  a 
manner  that  had  pleased  the  minister.)  to  know 
what  he  wanted,  he  sent  him  word  that  he  want- 
ed but  one  thing,  which  it  was  not  in  his  lordship's 
power  to  give  him  and  that  was  more  ^race. 

A  p'^r'^oa  who  suspected  that  a  minister  of  his 
acquaintance,  was  not  truly  a  Calvinist,  went  to 


60 

him  and  said,  "  Sir,  I  am  told  that  you  are 
against  the  perseverance  of  the  saints."  "  Not  I, 
indeed,"  answered  he,  "  it  is  the  perseverance  of 
sinners  that  I  oppose."  "  That  is  not  a  satisfac- 
tory answer,  sir.  Do  you  think  that  a  child  of 
God  cannot  fall  very  low  and  yet  be  restored  V 
He  replied.  "  I  think  it  will  be  very  dangerous  U 
make  the  experiment." 

Gt.  37.  What  benefits  do  believers  receive  from  Chris 
at  death  1 

A.  The  souls  of  believers  are  at  their  death  made  perfect 
in  holiness,  and  do  immediately  pass  into  glory  ;  and  then 
bodies,  being  still  united  to  Christ,  do  rest  in  their  graves 
till  the  resurrection. 

Mr.  Robert  Bruce,  the  morning  before  he  died, 
being  at  breakfast,  having,  as  he  used,  eaten  an 
egg,  he  said  to  his  daughter,  "  I  think  I  am  yet 
hungry  :  you  may  bring  me  another  egg."  But 
having  mused  a  while,  he  said,  "  Hold,  daughter, 
hold,  viy  master  calls  me.'"  With  these  words  his 
sight  failed  him:  on  which  he  called  for  the  Bi- 
ble, and  saifl,  '-turn  to  the  8th  chapter  of  the 
Romans  and  set  my  finger  on  the  words. — '  I  am 
persuaded  that  neither  death  nor  life.  Sic,  shall 
be  able  to  separate  me  from  the  love  of  God, 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord.' "  When 
this  was  done,  he  said,  "  Now  is  my  finser  upon 
them  r  Being  told  that  it  was,  he  added,  "  Noio, 
God  he  ioith  you,  my  dear  children  :  I  have  break- 
fasted loithyou.  and  shall  sup  with  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  this  night.^'     And  then  expired. 

Addison,  after  a  long  and  manly,  but  vain  strug- 
gle with  his  distemper,  dismissed  his  physicians, 
and  with  them  all  hopes  of  life.  But  with  his 
hopes  of  life,  he  dismissed  not  his  concern  for  the 
living,  but  sent  for  a  youth  who  was  nearly  re- 


61 

lated,  and  finely  accomplished.  He  came,  and 
after  a  decent  pause,  the  youth  said,  '•  Dear  sir, 
you  .sent  tor  me,  I  believe  :  I  hope  you  have  some 
commands ;  I  shall  hold  them  most  sacred." 
Forcibly  graspingthe  young  man'shand,  he  softly 
said,  '•  See  in  what  peace  a  christian  can  die  !" 
He  spoke  with  difficulty,  and  soon  expired. 

A  young  girl  at  Portsea,  who  died  at  nine 
years  of  age,  one  day  in  her  illness,  said  to  her 
aunt,  with  whom  she  lived,  "  When  I  am  dead, 
I  should  like  Mr.  Griffin  to  preach  a  sermon  to 
children  to  persuade  them  to  love  Jesus  Christ, 
to  obey  their  parents,  not  to  tell  lies,  but  to  think 
about  dying,  and  going  to  heaven.  I  have  been 
thinking,"  said  she,  "  what  text  I  should  like  him 
to  preach  from, — 2  Kings  iv.  26.  You  are  the 
Shunamite,  Mr.  G.  is  the  prophet,  and  I  am  the 
Shunamite's  child.  When  I  am  dead,  I  dare  say 
you  will  be  grieved,  though  you  need  not.  The 
prophet  will  come  to  see  you,  and  when  he  says, 
'  How  is  it  with  the  child  V  you  may  say,  '  It  is 
well'  I  am  sure  it  will  be  well  with  me.  for 
I  shall  be  in  heaven,  singing  the  praises  of  God. 
You  ought  to  think  it  well  too."  Mr.  G.  ac- 
cordingly fulfilled  the  wish  of  this  pious  child. 

A  little  girl  in  York.shire,  about  seven  years  of 
age,  went,  accompanied  by  a  brother  younger 
than  herself,  to  see  an  aunt  who  lay  dead.  ( )n 
their  return  home',  the  little  boy  expressed  his 
surprise  that  he  had  seen  his  aunt,  saying,  "  I 
always  thought  when  people  were  dead,  that  they 
went  to  heaven,  but  my  aunt  is  not,  for  I  have 
seen  her."  "Brother,"  replied  his  sister,  '"I 
fear  you  do  not  understand  it ;  it  is  not  the  body 

6 


62 

that  goes  to  heaven  :  it  is  the  think  that  goes  to 
heaven:  the  body  remains,  and  is  put  into  tl:e 
grave  where  it  sleeps  till  God  shall  raise  it  up 
again." 

Ci.  'S8.  What  benefits  do  believers  receive  from  Christ 
at  the  resurrection  1 

A.  At  the  resurrection,  believers  being  raised  up  in 
glory,  sh;ill  be  opt'uly  acknowledged  and  acquitted  in  the 
day  ot' judiriiient,  and  made  pertectly  blessed  in  the  lull 
enjoying  of  God  to  all  eternity.  ' 

Ah  infidel  and  profligate  youtli.  who  had  for- 
merly disregarded  all  the  pious  injunctions  of  his 
pareut.  on  one  occasion  went  with  thetn  to  hear 
a  popular  minister  who  had  come  to  the  town 
where  they  dwelt.  The  subject  of  discourse 
was  ike  hearenJy  slate  ;  ?ind  the  minister  describ- 
ed in  glowing  Imguage.  the  nature  of  the  Fiap- 
piness.  employment,  and  company  of  the  spirits 
of  just  men  made  perfect.  On  his  return  home, 
the  youth  expressed  his  admiration  of  the  speak- 
er's talents;  ••  but "  said  he,  turning  to  his  mo- 
ther, "  I  was  surprised,  that  while  the  smile  of 
approbation  was  visible  in  the  countenances  of 
all  around  me,  you  and  my  lather  appeared  gloo- 
my and  sad,  and  more  than  once  were  in  tears. 
I  was  surprised."  continued  the  youth.  '  because 
I  thought  that  if  any  could  claim  an  interest  in 
the  subject,  you  were  the  happy  persons."  "  Ah, 
my  son,"  replied  the  anxious  mother,  "  I  did 
weep;  but  it  was  not  because  I  feared  my  own 
personal  interest  in  the  subject,  or  that  of  your 
affectionate  and  pious  father.  I  w^ept.  when  1 
thought  of  you ;  it  is  the  fear  that  you^  the  son 
of  my  womb,  and  the  son  of  my  vows,  would  be 
banished  at  last  from  the  delights  of  the  celestial 
paradise,  which  caused  my  bursting  heart  to  seek 
vent  in  tears."   "  I  supposed."  said  the  father,  turn- 


G3 

ft 

ine:  to  his  wife,  "those  were  yoxir  reflections. 
Thp  thoiie;ht  of  the  spiritual  rondition  of  onr  son 
forcibly  impressed  my  own  heart,  and  liiade  me 
weep  ton."  The  pointed,  yet  cautious  and  ten- 
der admonition  of  the  mother,  wisely  sanc>t^ioneel 
by  the  husband,  found  its  way  to  the  youthful 
heart  of  hsr  child,  and  terminated  in  his  saving 
conversion  to  God. 

'•  I  remember."  says  the  writer  of  Mr.  John 
Janeway's  life,  "once  there  was  a  great  talk 
that  one  had  foretold  that  dooms-diy  should  be 
on  such  a  day.  Al'thouo:!!-  he  blamed  their  daring 
folly  that  could  pretend  to  know  that  which  was 
hid  yet,  granting  their  suspicion  to  be  true,  what 
then  ?  said  he  ;  what  if  the  day  of  judgment 
were  come,  as  it  will  most  cerfainly  come  short- 
ly? If  I  were  .sure  the  day  of  judgment  were  to 
come  within  an  hour,  I  should  be  glad  with  all 
my  heart.  If  at  this  very  instant.  I  .should  heat 
Bu.'h  thunderings.  and  see  such  lightnings  as  Is- 
rael did  at  Mount  Sinai.  I  am  persuaded  my'very 
heart  would  leap  for  joy.  But  this  I  am  confi- 
dent of,  through  infinite  mercy,  that  the  very 
meditation  of  that  day,  hath  even  ravished  my 
soul;  and  the  thought  of  the  certainty  and  near- 
ness of  it  is  more  refreshing  to  me  than  the  com- 
forts of  the.Avliole  world." 

Luther  being  once  in  great  poverty,  and  a  con- 
siderable sum  of  money  beine  sent  to  him  utiex- 
pectedly,  by  a  nobleman  of  Germany,  said,  "  I 
tear  God  will  give  my  reward  here  ;  but  I  protest 
I  will  not  be  so  satisfied."  A  little  will  sati-^fy 
the  saints  during  their  journey,  but  it  is  only  the 
enjoyment  of  God  in  heaven,  that  will  satisfy 
them  as  a  portion. 


64 

Q..  39.  What  is  the  duty  which  God  requireth  of  man  t 
A.  The  duty  which  God  requireth  of  man,  is  obedience 
to  his  revealed  will. 

"  A  person."  says  Mr.  Erskine,  "  who  had 
been  at  public  worship,  having  returned  home 
perhaps  somewhat  sooner  than  usual,  was  ad<ed, 
by  another  of  the  family,  who  had  not  been  there. 
'  Is  all  done  T  '  No,'  replied  he,  '  all  is  sadd,  bul 
all  is  not  donel'  " 

When  a  gentleman  lately  presented  a  Bible  to 
a  prisoner  under  sentence  of  death,  he  exclaimed, 
"  Oh,  sir,  if  I  had  had  this  book,  and  studied  it,  1 
should  never  have  committed  the  crime  of  which 
I  am  convicted."  So  it  is  said  of  a  native  Irish- 
man, when  he  read  for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  a 
New  Testament  which  a  gentleman  had  put  into 
his  hands,  he  said,  "  If  I  believe  this,  it  is  im- 
possible for  me  to  remain  a  rebel." 

Antonio  Guevaza.  used  to  say,  '•  That  heaven 
would  be  filled  with  such  as  had  done  good  vorks 
and  hell  with  such  as  i/Uended  to  do  them."  A 
very  suitable  hint  to  those  who  put  off  their  con- 
victions, to  what  they  think  will  be  a  more  con- 
venient .season. 

"  T  remember,"  says  Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  "  what 
Calvin  said  when  the  order  for  his  banishment 
from  unsrrateful  Geneva  was  brousfht  to  him: 
'  Most  assuredly,  if  I  had  merely  served  man.  this 
would  have  been  a  poor  recompense  ;  but  it  is  my 
happiness  that  I  have  served  Him,  who  never 
fails  to  reward  his  servants  to  the  full  extent  of 
his  promises.' 

CI.  10.  What  did  God  .it  first  reveal  toman  for  the  rule 
of  his  obedience.  , 

A  The  rule  which  God  at  first  revealed  to  man  for  his 
obedience,  was  the  moral  law. 


65 

A  follower  of  Pythagoras  had  bought  a  pair  of 
shoes  from  a  cobbler,  for  which  he  promised  to 
pay  him  oa  a  future  day.  On  that  day  he  took 
the  money  :  but.  finding  the  cobbler  had  died  in 
the  interim,  returned,  secretly  rejoicing  that  he 
could  retain  the  money,  and  get  a  paif  of  shoes  for 
nothing.  His  conscience,  however,  says  Seneca, 
would  allow  him  no  rest,  till,  taking  up  the  money, 
he  went  back  to  the  cobbler's  shop,  and  casting 
in  the  money,  said,  "  Go  thy  ways,  for  though 
he  is  dead  to  all  the  world  besides,  yet  he  is  alive 
to  mo." 

A  clergyman  once  travelling  in  a  stage-coach, 
was  asked  by  one  of  the  passengers,  if  he  thought 
that  pious  heathens  would  go  to  heaven.  '•  Sir, 
(answered  the  clergyman.)  1  am  not  appointed 
judge  of  the  loorld,  and  consequently  cannot  tell ; 
but  if  you  ever  get  to  heaven,  you  shall  either  find 
them  there,  or  a  good  reason  whv  they  are  not." 
A  reply  well  fitted  to  answer  on  impertinent  ques- 
tion dictated  by  idle  curiosity. 

A  certain  preacher  in  the  wist  of  England, 
remarkaole  for  his  ojiposition  to  the  morul  law 
as  a  rule  of  life  to  believers,  was  preaching  on  a 
week-day  evening  at  a  village,  in  a  cottage  full  of 
poor  people  ;  when,  declainiing  in  his  usual  way 
against  the  law,  and  seeming  at  loss  for  expres- 
sions sufficient  to  degrade  it,  he  said,  '•  the  lata 
is  dead;  it  is  fallen;  it  is  done  with.''  Having 
just  then  occasion  to  use  his  handkerrhicl".  he 
spread  it  out.  and  holding  a  corner  in  each  hand, 
said,  ■•  The  law,  my  friends,  has  fallen  down  before 
the  belli' rer  like  this  luni'llerchiif;^^  then  If^ttiug  it 
go  from  his  hands,  it  unfortunately  fell  on  tho  can- 

G* 


6G 

dies,  and  extinguished  them,  leaving  the  preacher 
and  all  his  hearers  in  darkness  : — a  very  just 
though  accidental  representation  of  that  mental 
and  practical  darkness  wiiich  such  preaching  is 
likely  to  produce. 

Q,.  41.  Where  is  the  moral  -law  summarily  compre- 
hendetl  1 

A.  The  moral  law  is  summarily  comprehended  in  the 
ten  commandments. 

Archbishop  Usher,  being  once  on  a  visit  to 
Scotland,  heard  a  great  deal  of  the  piety  and  de- 
votion of  Mr.  Samuel  Rutherford.  He  wished 
much  to  witness  what  had  been  told  him.  but  was 
at  a  loss  how  to  accomplish  his  design.  At 
length  it  came  into  his  mind  to  dress  himself  like 
a  pauper ;  and  on  a  Saturday  evening,  when  turn- 
ing dark,  he  called  at  Mr.  R's.  house,  and  asked 
if  he  could  get  quarters  for  a  night  Mr.  R.  con- 
sented to  give  the  poor  man  a  bed  for  the  night, 
and  desired  him  to  sit  down  in  the  kitchen,  which 
he  cheerfully  did.  Mrs.  Rutherford,  According 
to  custom  on  Saturday  evening,  that  her  servants 
might  be  prepared  for  the  Sabbath,  called  them 
together  and  examined  them.  In  the  course  of 
the  examination,  she  asked  the  stranger  how  many 
commandments  there  were.  To  which  he  an- 
swered, eleven.  On  receiving  this  answer,  she 
replied,  '•  What  a  shame  is  it  for  you  !  a  man  with 
grey  hairs,  in  a  christian  country,  not  to  know  how 
many  commandments  there  are  !  There  is  not 
a  child  of  six  years  old  in  this  parish  but  could 
answer  this  question  properlj-."  She  troubled 
the  poor  man  no  more,  thinking  him  so  very  igno- 
rant ;  but  lamented  his  condition  to  her  servants ; 
after  giving  him  some  supper,  she  desired  a  ser- 


vant  to  show  him  up  stairs  to  a  bed  in  the  garret. 
Mr.  R.  on  discoverinp;  who  he  was  next  morning, 
requested  him  to  prencli  for  him  that  day,  which 
the  bishop  consented  to  do,  on  condition  that  he 
would  not  discover  him  to  anv  other.  IVIr.  Ruth- 
erford furnislied  the  bishop  with  a  suit  of  his  own 
clothes,  and  early  in  the  morning  he  went  into  the 
fields  ;  the  other  followed  him,  and  brought  him 
in  as  a  strange  minister  passing  bv,  who  had 
promised  to  preacli  for  him.  Mrs.  R.  found  that 
the  poor  man  had  gone  away  before  any  of  the 
family  were  out  of  bed.  After  domestic  worship 
and  breakfast,  the  family  went  to  the  church,  and 
the  bishop  had  for  his  text,  John  xiii.  34.  "  A 
new  commandment  I  give  unto  you,  that,  ye  love 
one  another."  In  the  course  oi"  hi.^  sermon  he 
observed,  that  this  might  be  reckoned  the  eleventh 
commandment:  upon  which  Mrs.  R.  said  to  her- 
self, "that  is  the  answer  the  poor  man  gave  me 
last  night;"  and  looking  up  to  the  pulpit,  said, 
"  It  cannot  be  poaeible  that  tliis  is  he !"  After  pub- 
lic worship,  the  strange  minister  and  Mr.  R..  spent 
the  everiing  in  mutvial  .'satisfaction;  and  early  on 
Monday  morning  the  former  went  away  in  the 
dress  in  which  he  en  me,  and  was  not  dis<?overed, 
Mr*  Ralph  Erskine  composed  the  'following 
ode  on  the  death  of  his  first  wife.  Mrs.  Margaret 
Dewar,  who  died,  November  2'2d,  1730,  after 
having  borne  ten  children.      Aged  32. 

The  law  brouijht  forth  her  prccrp!s  ten; 

And  these  dissolv'J  in  jjrace  : 
This  vine  as  many  boutrhs,  and  then 

In'glory  took  lier  phico. 

Her  dyiniT  breath  triiiinpliantly 

Did  that  .swoot  anthem  sing, 
Thanhs  be  to  God  for  victonj  ; 

O  Death,!  u-here  is  thy  sting? 


68 

Q,.  42.  What  is  the  sum  of  the  ten  commandments  1 
A.  The  sum  of  the  ten  commandments  is,  To  love  the 
Lord  our  God  with  all  our  heart,  with  all  our  soul,  with  all 
our  strength,  and  with  all  our  mind  ;  and  our  neighbor 
as  ourselvfes.  * 

"  Papa,"  said  a  little  boy  to  his  father.  "  what 
is  the  meaning  of  the  words  cherubim  and  sera- 
phim,  which  we  meet  with  in  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures ?"  "  Cherubim."  replied  his  father,  "  is  a 
Hebrew  word  signifying  knowledge.  Seraphim  is 
another  word  of  the  same  language,  and  signifies 
flame.  Whence  it  is  supposed,  that  the  cheru- 
bim are  angels  who  excel  in  knowledge  ;  and  that 
the  seraphim  are  angels  likewise,  who  excel  in 
loving  God "  "  I  hope,  then,"  said  the  little 
boy.  "when  I  die  I  shnll  be  a  seraph;  for  I  would 
rather  love  God  than  know  all  things." 

"  I  see  God  will  have  all  my  heart,  and  he  shall 
have  it,"  was  a  fine  reflection  made  by  a  lady, 
when  news  wns  brought  of  two  children  drown- 
ed, whom  she  tenderly  loved. 

A  martyr  was  asked,  "  Whether  he  did  not 
love  his  wife  and  children,  who  stood  weeping 
by  him?"  "  Love  them?  Yes."  said  he  :  "  If  all 
the  world  were  gold,  and  at  my  disposal.  I  would 
give  it  all  for  the  satisfaction  of  living  with  them, 
though  it  were  in  a  prison.  Yet,  in  comparison 
of  Christ,  I  love  them  not." 

A  boy,  called  Abraham,  i;iot  qfiite  four  years 
old,  was  not  onlj'^  remarkably  patient  and  resigned 
during  his  last  illness,  but  his  conver.=iation  pro- 
ved an  abiding  blessing  to  his  father,  who  hap- 
pened then  to  be  in  an  unhappy  state  of  miud. 
On  the  day  before  he  died.  he.  asked  him.  '•  Fea- 
ther, do  you  love  me  ?"  the  father  replied,  "  Yes, 


69 

I  do."  Upon  Treating  his  qiiestion,  lie  re- 
ceived the  same  answer.  But,  then,"  added  he, 
"  do  you  love  your  Savior?"  "  No,"  replied  the 
father,  ••  I  am  just  now  very  poor  and  miserable." 
"Ah!"  said  the  child,  "  if  you  do  not  love  our 
Savior,  you  cannot  love  me  as  you  ought." 

During  the  retreat  of  Alfred  the  Great,  at 
Athelney  in  Somersetshire,  after  the  defeat  of  his 
forces  by  the  Danes,  a  beggar  came  to  his  little 
castle  there,  and  requested  alms  ;  when  his  queen 
informed  him  that  they  had  only  one  small  loaf 
remaining,  which  was  insufficient  for  themselves 
and  their  friends,  who  were  gone  abroad  in  quest 
of  food,  though  with  little  hopes  of  success :  the 
king  replied,  '•  Give  the  poor  Christian  one  half 
of  the  loaf  He  who  could  feed  live  thousand 
men  with  five  loaves  and  two  fishes,  can  certainly 
make  that  half  of  the  loaf  suffice  for  more  than 
our  necessities."  Accordingly  the  poor  man 
was  relieved,  ihid  his  noble  act  of  charity  soon 
recompensed  by  a  providential  store  of  fresh  pro- 
visions, with  which  his  people  returned. 

Gt.  43.  What  is  tlic  preface  to  the  ten  commandments'? 

A.  The  preface  of  tlic  ten  commandments  is  in  these 
words,  I  ani  tlie  Lord  thy  God,  whicli  have  broui^ht  thee 
out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage. 

A  friend  calling  on  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Ers- 
kine,  during  his  last  illness,  said  to  him,  '-Sir, 
you  have  given  us  many  good  advices,  pray  what 
are  you  now  doing  with  your  own  soul?"  "  I  am 
doing  with  it,"  said  he,  "what.  I  did  forty  years 
ago;  I  am  resting  on  that  word,  /  am  Ike.  Lord 
thy  God ;  and  on  this  I  mean  to  die."  To 
another,  he  said,  ''  The  covenant  is  my  charter, 
and  if  it  had  not  been  for  that  blessed  word,  lam 


70 

the  Lord  thy  God,  my  hope  and  strength  had 
perished  from  the  Loid."  The  night  on  which 
he  died,  his  eldest  daughter  was  reading  in  the 
room  where  he  was,  to  whom  he  said,  -What 
book  is  that  you  are  reading,  my  dear?"  "  it  is 
one  at' your  sermons,  sir."  '■  What  one  is  it?" 
"  It  is  the  sermon  on  tiiat  text.  /  am  the  Lord  thy 
'  Gad.'^  ■•  O  woman."  said  he,  'that  is  the  best 
sermon  I  ever  preached."  And  it  was  most 
probably,  the  best  to  his  soul  A  little  after- 
wards with  his  linger  and  thumb,  he  shut  his  own 
eyes,  and  laying  his  hand  below  his  cheek, 
breathed  out  his  soul  into  the  hands  of  his  living 
Redeemer.  Happy  the  man  that  is  in  such  a 
state!    happy  the  man  whose  God  is  the  Lord! 

A  gentleman  one  day  took  an  acquaintance  of 
his  upon  the  leads  of  his  house,  to  show  him  the 
extent  of  his  possession  ;  waving  his  hand  about. 
"There,"  says  he.  'that  is  my  estate."  Then 
pointing  to  a  great  distance  on  one  side.  'Do 
you  see  that  farm?"  '"Yes."  '•Well  that  is 
mine."  Pointing  again  to  the  other  side,  '  Do 
you  see  that  house?"  "Yes,"  '"That  also  be- 
lonofs  to  me."  '•  Then."  said  his  friend.  •'  do  you 
see  that  little  village  out  yonder  l''  •■  ^'e<?," 
"  Well,  there  lives  a  poor  woman  in  that  village, 
who  can  say  more  than  all  this."  '•  Aye!  what 
can  she  say?"  -Why.  she  can  say.  "Christ  is 
mine '  "  He  looked  confounded,  and  said  no 
more. 

Q.  44.  What  doth  the  preface  to  the  ten  commandments 
teach  us  1 

A.  The  preface  to  the  ten  commandments  tcacheth  us. 
That  brcause  God  is  the  Lord,  and  our  God,  and  I'edoem- 
er,  therefore  wc  are  bound  lo  keep  his  comniandnients. 


71 

Cardinal  Wolsey,  a  great  minister  of  state,  un- 
der kincr  Henry  Vlll.  of  Eiit^Iand,  haviii^^  fallen 
under  (he  displeasure  of  that  monarch,  madf  the 
following  sad  reflection  a  little  before  his  death: 
'•  Had  I  but  served  my  God  as  diligently  as  I 
have  served  my  king  he  would  not  have  forsa- 
ken me  now  in  my  grey  hairs.  But  this  is  ihe 
just  reward  that  I  must  receive  for  my  indulgent 
pains  and  study,  not  regarding  my  service  to  ( iod, 
but  only  to  my  prince.  ' 

When  Polycarp  was  exhorted  to  swear,  and 
blaspheme  Christ  in  order  to  save  his  lif*',  hf  re- 
plied, ••  Fourscore  years  have  I  served  Christ  «nd 
have  ever  found  him  a  good  master.  h)w  then 
can  1  blaspheme  my  Lord  arid  Savior!"  Wlien 
he  camo  to  the  stake  at  whi>'h  he  was  to  be 
burnt,  he  desired  to  stand  untied,  saying,  '•  Let 
me  alone;  for  he  that  gave  nie  strength  t)  cune 
to  the  fire  will  give  me  patience  to  underc- >  he 
fire-  without  your  tying." 

iMr.  Venn,  an  evangelical  and  faithftil  minister 
of  Christ,  was  one  day  addressed  by  a  nei-rh- 
boriri;r  clergyman  in  near}-.-  the  following  words, 
"Mr.  Venn,  I  don't  know  liow  it  is,  but  I  sliinild 
really  think  your  do  -triuj-s  of  fjrace  and  fi  'A, 
W.^re  calculated  to  make  all  your  hearers  live  in 
sta.  and  yet  I  must  own  that  there  is  an  ast  »iii  h- 
ing  ref  irmation  wrought  in  your  parish  ;  wh  -r-as 
I  don't  believe  I  ever  have  made  one  soul  the  bet- 
ter, thout^'h  I  have  been  tellincr  them  their  dn'i  '  fop 
many  years."  Mr  Venn  smiled  at  the  ,cl-«ri.'V- 
man's  honest  confession  and  frankly  toM  him, 
"he  would  do  well  to  buri»  all  his  old  serm  )ns, 
and  try  what  preaching  Christ  would  do" 


72 

Q..  45.  Which  is  the  first  commandment  ? 

A.  The  first  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt  have  rro  other 
gods  before  me. 

CL.  4G.  What  is  required  in  the  first  cominandment  1 

A.  The  first  commandment  requireth  us  to  know  and 
acknowledge  Gotl  to  be  the  only  true  God,  and  our  God ; 
and  to  worship  and  glorify  him  accordingly. 

A  poor'  Arabian  of  the  desert  was  one  day- 
asked  how  he  came  to  be  assured  that  there  was 
a  God?  "In  the  same  way,"  replied  he,  '-that 
I  am  able  to  tell  by  the  print  impressed  on  the 
sand  whether  it  was  a  man  or  a  beast  that  passed 
that  way." 

Mr.  Hervey  for  some  years  before  his  death, 
visited  very  few  of  the  principal  persons  in  his 
neighborhood.  Being  once  asked,  "  Why  he 
so  seldom  went  to  see  the  neighboring  gentle- 
men, who  yet  showed  him  all  possible  esteem 
and  respect  ?"  He  answered,  *'  I  can  hardly 
name  a  polite  family  where  the  conversation  ever 
turns  upon  the  things  of  God.  I  hear  much  frothy 
and  worldly  chit-chat,  but  not  a  word  of  Christ ; 
and  I  am  determined  not  to  visit  those  compa- 
nies where  there  is  not  room  for  my  Master  as 
well  as  myself." 

Mr.  Collins,  the  deist,  met  one  day  v\'ith  a  plain 
countryman  going  to  church.  He  inquired  where 
he  was  going.  '•  To  church,  .sir,"  "  What  to  do 
there  ?"  "  To  worship  God."  "  Pray,  whether, 
is  your  God  a  great  or  a  little  God  f  "  He 
is  BO  great,  sir.  that  the  heaven  of  heavens  cannot 
contain  him:  and  so  little  that  he  can  dwell  in 
my  heart."  Collins  declared,  that  the  simple  an 
swer  by  the  countryman,  had  more  effect  upon 
his  mind  than  all  the  volumes  which  the  learned 
doctors  had  written  against  him. 


73 

An  atheist  being  asked  by  a  professor  of  chris- 
tlinity,  '•  how  he  could  quiet  his  conscience  in  so 
desperate  a  state?"  replied,  "  As  much  am  I  as- 
tonished as  yourself,  that  believing  the  christian 
religion  to  be  true,  yoii  can  quiet  your  conscience 
in  livins:  so  much  like  the  world:  Did  1  believe 
what  you  profess,  I  should  think  no  care,  no  dili- 
gence, ho  zeal  enough."  Alas  !  that  there  should 
still,  by  christians,  be  so  much  cause  given  for 
the  astonishment  of  atheists  ! 

CI.  47.  What  is  forbidden  in  tlie  first  commandment  1 

A.  The  first  commandment  forbiddeth  the  denying,  or 

not  worshiping  and  glorifying  the  true  God  as  God,  and 

our  God ;  and  the  givin'i  of  that  worship  ajid  glory  to  any 

other  jvhich  '\i  due  to  him  alone. 

» 

Lord  Rochester  was  one  day  at  an  atheistical 
meeting  in  the  house  of  a  person  of  quality-  He 
undertook  to  manage  the  cause,  and  w£^  the  prin- 
cipal disputant  against  God  and  religion,  and  for 
his  performance  received  the  applause  of  the  whole 
company.  "  Upon  which,"  says  he,  '•  my  mind 
was  terribly  struck,  and  I  immediately  replied 
thus  to  myself ;  Good  God  !  that  a  man  that  walks 
upright,  that  sees  the  wonderful  works  of  <-iod, 
and  has  the  use  of  his  senses  and  reason,  should 
use  them  to  the  defying  of  his  Creator!" 

The  famous  astronomer,  Athanasius  Kirclier, 
having  an  acquaintance  who  denied  the  exi.stence 
of  the  Supreme  Baing,  took  the  following  method 
to  convince  him  of  his  error  upon  his  own  princi- 
ples. Expecting  him  upon  a  visit,  he  procured  a 
very  handsome  globe  of  the  starry  heavens,  which 
being  placed  in  a  corner  of  the  room  in  which 
it  could  not  escape  his  friend's  observation, 
the  latter  seized  the  first  occasion  to  ask  from 

7 


74 

whence  it  came,  and  to  whom  it  belonged.  "  Not 
to  me,"  said  Kircher,  "'nor  was  it  ever  made  by 
any  pemon,  but  came  here  by  mere  chance.  " 
"  That,"  replied  his  sceptical  friend,  is  absolutely 
impossible  ;  you  surely  jest."  Kircher,  howevej, 
seriously  persisted  in  his  assertion,  took  occasion 
to  reason  with  his  friend  upon  his  own  atheisti- 
cal principles.  "  You  will  not,"  said  he,  "  believe 
that  this  small  body  originated  in  tnere  chance  ; 
snd  yet  you  will  contend  that  those  heavenly 
bodies  of  which  it  is  only  a  faint  and  diminutive 
resemblance  came  into  existence  without  order 
and  design."  Pursuing  this  chain  of  reasoning, 
his  friend  was  at  first  confounded,  in  the  next 
place  convinced,  and  ultimately  joined  in  a  cor- 
dial acknowledgement  of  the  absurdity  of  deny- 
ing the  existence  of  a  God. 

Nichols,  Potter,  and  T.  Wilson,  of  Westmin- 
ster, preaching  one  after  another  before  his  IMajes- 
ty.  George  III.,  bedaubed  the  king,  who,  as  Lord 
Mansfield  told  Bishop  Wqrburton,  expressed  his 
offence  publicly,  by  saying,  that  he  came  to  chap- 
el to  hear  the  praises  of  God  and  not  his  own. 

A  gentleman  in  England,  who  had  a  chapel 
attached  to  his  house,  was  visited  by  a  person 
from  London,  to  whom  he  showed'  the  chapel. 
"What  a  glorious  kitchen  this  would  make!" 
said  the  visitor.  "  When  I  make  a  God  of  my 
belly,"  replied  the  gentlemen,  "  I  will  make  a  kit- 
chen of  my  chapel. 

ex.  48.  What  are  we  specially  taught  by  thes^  words 
[before  me]  in  the  first  commanilnient  1 

A.  These  words  [before  me]  in  the  first  commandment, 
teach  us,  That  God,  who  seeth  all  thin;:*,  taketh  notice  of, 
and  is  much  displeased  with  the  sin  of  having  any  other 
God. 


75 

Mr.  Scott,  tVie  venerable  expositor  of  the  Bible, 
speaking  of  his  early  years,  says,  "  A  hymn  of 
Dr.  Watts' eotitled,  •  The  all-seeing  (lod,'  at  this 
time  foil  in  my  way  ;  I  was  much  affected  by  it, 
and  havins:  committed  it  to  memory,  was  fre- 
quently  repeating  it.  and  was  thus  continually  led 
to  reflect  on  my  guilt  and  danger.  '•  Parents,"  he 
adds  -may  from  this  inconsiderable  circumstance, 
be  reminded,  that  it  is  of  grfiat  importance  to  store 
their  children's  memories  with  oseful  matter,  in- 
stead of  suffering  them  to  be  furnished  with  such 
corrupting  trash  as  is  commonly  taught  tliera. 
They  know  not  what  use  God  may  make  of  these 
early  rudiments  of  instruction  in  future  life." 

A  profane  coachman  pointing  to  one  of  the 
horses  he  was  driving,  said  to  a  pious  traveller, 
"  That  horse,  sir,  knows  when  I  swear  at  him." 
"  Yes,"  replied  the  traveller,  '•  and  so  does  One 
abore^^  'I'he  coachman  seemed  to  feel  the  re- 
proof, and  immediately  became  silent. 

A  lady  who  once  heard  Mr.  Romaine,  express- 
ed herseif  mightily  pleased  with  his  discourse, 
and  told  him  afterwards,  that  she  thought  she 
could  comply  with  his  doctrine,  and  give  up 
every  thing  but  one.  "  And  what  is  that,  ma- 
dam ?"  "  Cards,  sir."  "You  think  you  could 
not  be  happy  without  them."  "No.  sir;  I  know 
I  could  not!"  "  Then,  madam,  they  are  ynir 
god,  and  they  must  save  you."  This  jjoinled 
and  just  rej^ly  is  said  to  have  issued  in  her  con- 
version. 

Q..  4!).  Which  is  the  second  conimnndmrnt'? 

A.  The  second  cominaiKhneiit  i.<,  Thou  shall  not  iiiako 
unto  thee  any  graven  iina^e,  or  any  likeness  of  any  tliinij 
that  is  in  heaven  above,  or  that  is  in  the  earth   bvneath, 


76 

or  that  is  in  the  water  under  the  earth.  Thou  shah  nol 
bow  down  thyself  to  tiiym,  nor  serve  them  ;  for  I  th« 
Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of 
the  fathers  upon  the  children,  unto  the  third  and  fourth 
generation  of  them  that  hate  me ;  and  showing  mtrcy  un- 
to thousands  of  them  that  love  mc,  and  keep  my  command- 
ments. 

CI.  59.  What  is  required  in  the  second  command- 
ment'? 

A.  The  second  commandment  requireth  the  receiving 
ob.serving,  and  keeping  pure  and  entire,  all  such  religious 
worship  and  ordinances  as  God  hath  appomted  in  his 
word. 

Ill  tlie  begintiing  of  the  reign  of  Edward  VI. 
of  England,  Charles  V.  Emperor  of  Germany, 
having  requested  that  leave  might  be  given  to  the 
Lady  Mary,  afterwards  Queen  Mary,  to  have 
mass  said  in  her  house;  the  council  sent  the 
bishops  Cranmer  and  Ridley  to  the  king  to  en- 
treat him,  for  certain  state  reasons,  to  grant  it, 
The  king  having  heard  all  they  could  say  on  the 
matter,  gave  them  such  grave  and  sound  answers, 
supported  by  scripture,  against  any  such  permis- 
sion, that  the  bishops  could  not  reply.  However^ 
they  continued  to  press  him  not  to  disoblige  the 
Emperor,  as  such  a  step  might  have  very  bad 
consequences.  The  king  bade  them  be  satisfied 
and  told  them,  "  He  was  resolved  rather  to  lose 
his  life,  and  all  that  he  had,  than  agree  to  that 
whi?h  he  knew  Avith  certainty  to  be  against  the 
truth."  The  bishops  still  continued  to  urge  him; 
the  king  at  length  burst  into  tears,  witnessing  his 
tenderness  for  the  truth,  and  his  zeal  for  the  de- 
fence of  it,  by  much  weeping,  which  the  bishops 
no  sooner  saw,  than  they  wept  as  fast  as  he,  took 
leave,  and  withdrew.  In  their  return,  meeting 
with    Mr.    Cheek,  the  king's  tutor,  archbishop 


77 

Crannier  took  him  by  the  hand,  and  said,  "  Ah  I 
Mr.  Cheek,  you  may  be  glad  all  the  days  of  your 
life  that  you  have  such  a  scholar;  for  he  hath 
more  divinity  in  his  little  finger,  than  we  have 
in  our  whole  bodies." 

When  one  of  the  kings  of  France  solicited  M. 
Bougier,  who  was  a  protestant,  to  conform  to  the 
Roman  Catholic  religion,  promising  him  in  re- 
turn a  commission  or  a  government.  "Sire," 
replied  he.  "  if  I  could  be  persuaded  to  betray 
my  God  for  a  marshal's  staff,  I  might  be  induced 
to  betray  my  king  for  a  bribe  of  much  less  value." 

When  Mr.  Nathaniel  Heywood,  a  nonconfor- 
mist minister,  was  quitting  his  living,  a  poor  man 
came  to  him,  and  said,  '•  Ah  !  Mr.  Heywood  we 
would  gladly  have  you  preach  still  in  the  church." 
"  Yes,"  said  he,  ••  and  I  would  as  gladly  preach 
as  you  can  desire  it,  if  I  could  do  it  with  a  safe 
conscience."  "  Oh !  sir,"  replied  the  other,  '•  many 
a  man  now-a-days  makes  a  great  ga.sh  in  his  con- 
science ,  cannot  you  make  a  little  nick  in  yours?" 

Ct.  51.  What  is  forbidden  in  tiic  second  command- 
ment 1 

A.  The  second  conimandinont  forl)i<ldeth- the  worsliip- 
ing  of  God  by  images,  or  in  any  oilier  way  not  appointed 
in  his  word. 

One  day  in  the  spring  of  1823,  a  little  girl, 
about  five  years  old.  accompanied  her  manitna  to 
pay  a  visit  to  a  lady  in  the  neighbourhood  ol'  C — . 
When  alighting  from  a  carriage  in  the  court- 
yard, she  espied  a  statue  of  king  William  III  and 
immediately  addressed  her  mamma  in  these 
words  ;  •  ]\Iamma,  is  that  a  f^rnvca  iiiKH^c  there  ? 
If  it  is,  I  will  not  fall  down  and  worship  it.  I  will 
only  worship  God  Almighty  !  '   This  prompt  and 

7* 


78 

cLristian-like  determination  of  the  little  girl,  not 
only  pleased  but  astonished  all  presejit. 

A  writer  in  the  Anti-Jacobin  Review  for  April 
1819,  informs  us,  that  a  native  of  India,  lately  in 
London,  very  much  censured  the  want  of  images 
in  our  churches;  he  said,  The  worshippers  had 
nothing  upon  which  they  could  fix  their  attention, 
and  hence  they  were  often  gazing  at  each  other, 
and  often  at  mere  inanity.  '•  We,"  said  he.  "'  have 
in  our  temples  an  image  of  the  Deity  to  look  at, 
with  large  eyes,  huge  ears,  great  hands,  and  long 
feet.  Not  that  we  believe  this  very  jmage  to  be 
the  Deity,  but  we  use  it  only  to  fix  our  attention, 
and  to  remind  us  that  the  Being  which  it  repre- 
sents can  see  every  thing,  hear  every  thing,"  &c. 

A  protestant  who  rented  a  small  farm  under 
Alexander,  second  Duke  of  Gordon,  having  fallen 
behind  in  his  payments,  a  vigilant  steward,  in  his 
Grace's  absence,  seized  the  farmer's  stock,  and 
advertised  it  to  be  sold  by  auction  on  a  fixed  day. 
The  Duke  happily  returned  home  in  the  interval, 
and  the  tenant  went  to  him  to  supplicate  fur  in 
dulgence.  '-What  is  the  matter,  Donald?"  said 
the  Duke,  as  he  saw  him  enter  with  sad  downcast 
looks.  Donald  told  his  sorrowfuLtale  in  a  concise 
natural  manner :  it  touched  the  Duke's  heart,  and 
produced  a  formal  acquittance  of  the  debt.  Do- 
nald,as  hecheerfuUy  withdrew,  was  staring  at  the 
pictures  and  images  Avhich  he  saw  in  the  duea\ 
hall,  and  expressed  to  the  Duke  in  ahomrly  way, 
a  wi.sh  to  know  what  they  were.  '•  The.se  "  sa-id 
the  Duke,  who  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  "axe  the 
saints  who  intercede  with  God  for  iue."  "  My 
lord  Duke,"  said  Donald,  "  would  it  not  be  beltet 


79 

to  apply  yourself  directly  to  God  ?  I  went  to 
muckle  Sawney  CJordon,  and  to  little  Sawney 
Gordon;  but  if  I  had  not  come  to  your  good 
Grace's  self.  I  could  not  have  got  my  discharge, 
and  both  I  and  my  bairns  had  been  turned  out 
from  house  and  home."    . 

CI.  53.  What  are  the  reasons  alincxed  to  the  second 
commandment  ? 

A.  The  reasons  annexed  to  the  second  commandment 
are,  God's  sovereitrnty  over  us,  liis  property  in  us,  and 
the  zeal  he  hath  to  his  own  worship. 

When  certain  persons  attempted  to  persuade 
Stephen,  king  pf  Poland,  to  constrain  .^onie  of"  his 
subjects,  who  were  of  a  different  reli'.ion,  to  em- 
brace his.  he  said  to  them.  "  I  am  king  of  men, 
and  not  of  consciences.  The  dominion  of  con- 
sciences belongs  exclusively  to  God.' 

Two  men  of  learning  were  conversing  together, 
about  the  method  they  shouU*  take,  in  reference 
to  a  certain  regulation  imposed  upon  them  by  the 
higher  powers,  and  to  which  they  had  conscien- 
tious scruples.  One  of  them  thoughtlessly  and 
'  impiously  swore.  '"By  my  faith,"  said  he,  ••  I  must 
live."  The  other  calmly  and  pleasantly  replied 
"  I  hope  to  live  by  my  faith  too.  though  I  dare 
not  swear  by  it."  The  result  was  that  the  man 
who  resolved  by  grace,  to  venture  his  temporal 
interest  for  conscience  sake,  lived  in  prosperity 
to  see  the  other  bec:s:ing:,  and  to  contribute  to  his 
relief. 

A  Spani«:h  boy.  who  was  a  Roman  Catholic, 
having  a  silver  crucifix  hanging  in  his  bosom,  was 
asked  by  a  person  in  his  ompnny  to  sell  it  for  a 
half  d^illar.  at  which  he  shook  his  head.  He  was 
then  ofi'-'red  a  dollar,  to  which  he  replied  in  broken 


80 

accents,  "  No,  not  for  tousands  of  iousands."  Is 
not  this  a  keen  reproof  to  children  of  protestant 
countries,  who  live  in  the  awful  neglect  of  God's 
"  unspeakable  gift  ?" 

d.  53.  Which  is  the  third  commanJment  1 

A.  The  third  cotnmanJinent  is,  Thou  shalt  not  take  the 

name  of  the  Lord  thy  CTod  in  vain  ;  for  the  Lord  will  not 

hold  him  guiltless  that  taketh  his  name  in  vain. 

CI,  54.  What  is  required  in  the  third  commandment  1 
A.  The  third   commandment  requircth   the  holy   and 

reverend  use  of  God's  names,  titles,  attributes,  ordinances, 

word,  and  works. 

In  the  year  1796,  when  the  ship  Duff  was  pre- 
paring to  take  out  the  missionaries  from  the  Lon- 
don Missionary  Society,  Mr.  Cox,  one  of  the 
Directors,  was  one  day  walking  in  the  street ; 
he  was  there  met  by  a  very  fine  looking  boy,  about 
14  years  of  age,  who.  stopping  him,  said.  "  Pray 
sir,  have  you  not  some  management  in  the  ship 
that  is  going  out  with  the  missionaries  ?"  "  Yes, 
I  have,  mv  voung  man,"  said  Mr.  Cox.  '■  I  should 
like  very  much,  sir*,  to  go  out  with  her  as  a  cabin 
boy."  "  Would  you," "said  Mr.  Cox,  "have  you 
any  parents?"  "  I  have  a  mother,"  said  the  boy, 
"but  no  father."  "And  is  your  mother  willing 
you  should  go  ?"  '•  O  yes,  sir,  very  willing." 
Mr.  Cox  then  desired  the  boy  to  call  at  his  house 
and  to  bring  his  mother  along  with  him,  that  she 
might  speak  for  herself  At  the  time  appointed, 
the  boy  and  his  mother  came,  who.  having  de- 
clared her  williiiffness  that  her  son  should  2:0.  the 
matter  was  accordingly  settled.  In  the  course  of 
the  conversation,  a  gentleman  who  was  present, 
in  order  to  try  the  boy,  said  to  him,  "So  you 
wish  to  go  to  sea?"  "  Yes,  sir,  in  the  missionary 
ship."  "  And  you  can  swear  a  good  round  hand. 


81 

I  suppose  ?"  Shocked  at  the  very  idea  of  such  a 
thing,  the  ingenuous  little  fellow  burst  into  tears, 
and  exclaimed.  '••  If  I  thought  there  roould  be 
swearing  aboard  at  all,  I  would  not  go." 

A  man  that  was  addicted  to  a  very  wicked 
course  of  lite,  going  one  Sabbath  morning  to  buy 
a  game  cock  for  fighting,  was  met  by  a  good  man 
on  his  way  to  a  meeting,  who  asked  him,  where 
he  was  going.  He  related  the  whole  to  him.  and 
after  much  entreaty,  was  prevailed  on  to  go  with 
him  to  the  meeting,  where  it  pleased  God  to  con- 
vince him  of  his  misery.  On  the  Monday  morn- 
ing he  went  to  his  work,  where  he  was  beset  by 
the  rest  of  the  colliers,  who  swore  at  him.  tojd  him 
he  was  going  mad.  and  upbraided  him  by  saying, 
that  before  a  month  was  at  an  end.  he  would 
swear  as  bad  as  ever.  On  hearing  this,  he  kneeled 
down  before  them  all,  and  earnestly  prayed  that 
God  would  sooner  take  him  out  of  the  world, 
than  sui'fjr  him  to  blaspheme  his  holy  name  ;  on 
which  he  immediately  expired.  The  person  who 
was  the  ii\strument  of  bringing  him  to  the  know- 
ledge of  the  truth,  died  in  a  i'ew  days  afterwards. 

Mr.  John  Howe  being  at  dinner  with  some  per- 
sons of  fashion,  a  gentleman  expatiated  largely  in 
praise  of  Charles  I.,  and  made  some  disagreeable 
reflections  upon  others.  IMr.  Howe  observing 
that  he  mixed  many  horrid  oaths  with  his  dis- 
course, took  the  liberty  to  say.  that  in  his  humble 
opinion,  he  had  omitted  one  great  exellence  in 
the  character  of  that  prince  ;  which,  when  the 
gentleman  had  pres.sed  him  to  mention,  and  waited 
with  impatience  to  hear  it,  he  told  him  it  was 
'his :   ''  that  he  loas  never  heard  to  swear  an  oath 


82 

in  common  coarersatlofi."     The  gentleman  took 

the  reproof",  and  promised  to  break  .off  the  practice. 

C.  55.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  third  coiiiiiiai)dment  1 
A.  Tlie  third  cominaiidmcnt  forbiddeth  all  [irofaning 

or  abusing  of  any  thing  whereby  God  niaketh  himself 

known. 

The  late  Rev.  .John  Brown  of  Haddington,  once 
passing  the  Firth  of  Forth,  between  Leith  and 
Kinghorn,  had  for  a  fellow-passr  nger.  one  who 
appeared  to  be  a  Highland  nobleman.  Mr.  B. 
observed  with  grief,  that  he  frequently  took  the 
name  of  God  in  vain:  bu-t  suspecting,  that  to  re- 
prove him  in*  the  presence  of  the  other  passen- 
gers, might  tend  only  to  irritate  him,  he  forbore 
saying  any  thing  till  he  reached  the  opposite 
shore.  After  landing,  Mr.  B.  observing  the 
nobleman  walking  alone,  stepped  up  to  him,  and 
said, "  Sir.  I  was  sorry  to  hear  you  swearing  while 
on  our  passage.  You  know  it  is  written, '  Thou 
shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thj'  God  in 
vain.'"  Dn  this  the  nobleman,  lifting  his  hat, 
t.  and  bowing  to  Mr.  B.  made  the  following  reply ; 
"  Sir,  I  return  you  thanks  for  the  reproof  you  have 
now  given  me,  and  shall  endeavour  to  attend  to 
it  in  future ;  but,"  added  he,  "  had  you  said  this 
to  me  while  in  the  boat,  I  believe  I  should  have 
run  you  through  with  my  sword." 

The  Rev.  John  Maclaurin  of  Glasgow,  well 
known  to  the  Christian  world  by  his  valuable 
writings,  in  passing  one  day  along  the  street,  was 
disturbed  by  the  noise  of  some  disorderly  soldiers. 
One  of  them  particularly,  just  as  Mr.  Maclaurin 
approached  them  uttered  this  awful  imprecation, 
"  God  damn  my  soul,  for  Christ's  sake  !"  The 
good  man,  shocked  with  hearing  such  blasphe- 


83 

mous  lanojuage,  went  up  to  him,  and  laying  his 
hand  on  the  shoulder  of"  the  man  said  to  him  with 
peculiar  mildness  and  solemnitv.  "  Friend.  God 
has  already  done  much  for  Clirist's  sake  :  suppose 
he  should  do  that  too,  what  would  become  of 
yon  ?"  It  was  a  word  in  season,  find  it  came 
with  power.  The  conscience  of  the  soldier  sunk 
under  the  reproof.  He  was  lead  not  only  to  reform 
the  evil  habit  of  swearing,  to  which  he  had  been 
long  addicted,  but  to  reflect  on  liis  ways,  and  to 
turn  to  the  Lord.  He  became  a  real  Christian; 
and  proved  the  soundness  of  his  conversion  by 
maintaining  to  the  end  of  his  life,  a  conversation 
becoming  the  gospel. 

A  minister  of  the  gospel  one  day  finding  a  ser- 
vant beating  his  master's  horses,  and  taking  the 
name  of  (lod  in  vain,  he  stood  still  and  reproved 
him  sharply.  The  servant  made  no  reply  ;  but 
proinpfed  by  curiosity,  cajne  next  Lord  s  day  to 
hear  his  reprover  preach.  "Swear  not  at  all," 
said  the  preacher,  when  concluding  his  discourse, 
"is  a  divine  command  that  binds  both  master  and 
servant.  I  knew  a  man,  not  long  ago,  who  sur- 
prised one  of  the  swearing  tribe  of  servants,  in  th^ 
very  act  of  damning  his  master's  horses.  The 
son  of  Belial,  though  challenged,  durst  not  open 
his  mouth  for  his  father's  interest;  but  hung 
down  his  head  like  a  coward  in  the  devil's  service. 
He  ywsscd  by,  and  had  not  the  manners  to  thank 
his  reprover,  or  grace  to  promise  amendment.  Is 
he  here? — Do  I  see  him? — Shall  I  name  him?" 
jyter  some  pause,  he  added,  "  We  shall  rather 
pray  for  him?"  The  servant  was  sitting  trem- 
bling before  him;  and  may  it  be  proper  to  add, 
that  he  came  forward  to  the  minister,  confessed 


84 

Lis  fault,  gave  signs  of  true  penitence,  was  added 
to  the  cliuich,  and  never  after  heard  to  blaspheme 
that  worthy  name. 

CI.  56.  What  is  the  reason  annexed  to  the  third  com- 
mandment'? 

A.  The  reason  annexed  to  the  third  commandment  is, 
That  however  the  breakers  of  this  commandment  may 
escape  punishment  from  men,  yet  the  Lord  our  God  will 
not  suffer  them  to  escape  his  righteous  judgment. 

An  eleetorof  Coloirne.  whowas  likewise  an  arch- 
bishop,  one  day  swearing  profanely,  asked  a  pea- 
sant, who  seemed  to  wonder,  "  what  he  was  so 
surprised  at  V  '•  To  hear  an  archbishop  swear," 
replied  the  peasant.  "  I  swear."  replied  the  elec- 
tor, "not  as  an  archbishop,  but  as  a  prince." 
"But,  my  Lord,"  said  the  peasant,  "  when  the 
prince  goes  to  the  devil,  what  will  become  of  the 
archbishop?" 

A  person  who  lived  in  the  parish  of  Sedgley, 
near  Wolverhampton,  having  lost  a  considerable 
sum  by  a  match  at  cock-fighting,  to  which  practice 
he  was  notoriously  atldicted,  swore  in  the  most 
horrid  manner,  that  he  would  never  fieht  another 
cock  as  long  as  he  lived  ;  frequently  calling  upon 
God  to  damn  his  soul  to  all  eternity  if  he  did.  and 
with  dreadful  imprecations,  wishing  the  devil 
might  fetch  him  if  he  ever  made  another  bet.  It 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at.  if  resolutions  so  im- 
piously, formed,  should  be  broken  ;  for  a  while 
however,  thev  were  observed  ;  but  he  continued 
to  indnlee  himself  in  every  other  abomination 
to  which  his  depraved  heart  inclined  him.  But, 
about  two  years  afterward.  Satan  whose  willing 
servant  he  was,  inspired  him  with  a  violent  desire 
to  attend  a  cocking  at  Wolverhampton ;  and  he 


lolnplied  with  the  temptation.  When  he- came 
to  the  place,  he  stood  up,  as  in  defiance  of  Hea- 
ven, and  cried,  "  I  hold  four  to  three  on  such  a 
cock."  "  Four  what  ?  '  said  one  of  his  compa- 
nions in  iniquity.  "Four  shillings."  replied  he. 
"  ril  lay,"  said  the  other.  Upon  which  they  con- 
firmed the  wager,  and,  as  his  custom  was,  he  threw 
down  his  hat,  and  put  his  hand  in  his  pocket  for 
the  money  ;  when,  awful  to  relate,  he  instantly 
fell  a  ghastly  corpse  to  the  ground.  Terrified  at 
his  sudden  death,  some  who  were  present,  forever 
after  desisted  from  this  infamous  sport ;  but  Others, 
hardened  in  iniquity,  proceeded  in  the  barbarous 
diversion,  as  soon  as  the  dead  body  was  removed 
from  the  spot. 

Q,.  57.  AVliich  is  the  fourth  corrmiandmont "? 

A.  1'hc  fourth  commandment  is,  Remrnibor  the  Sab- 
bath-day, to  keep  it  holy.  Six  days  shall  thou  labor, 
and  do  ail  thy  work;  but  the  seventh-day  is  the  Sabbath 
of  the  Lord  lliy  X.iod:  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work, 
thou,  nor  tliy  son,  nor  thy  dauj^htcr,  thy  man-sorvant,  nor 
thy  maid-s'^rvant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  the  .strantjcr  that  is 
within  thy  aates.  For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven 
and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the 
seventh-day :  wherefore  the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath-day, 
and  hallowed  it.     . 

Q,.  .'J8.   What  is  required  in  the  fourth  commandment? 

A.  The  fourth  commandment  requiri'th  the  keeping 
holy  to  God  such  set  times  as  he  hath  appointed  in  his 
word,  expressly  one  whole -day  in  seven,  to  be  a  holy 
Sabbath  to  himself. 

That  great  man.  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  thus  speaks 
of  the  Sabbath  :  "  I  have,"  says  he,  "  by  long  and 
sound  experience,  found  that  the  due  observance 
of  this  day,  and  of  the  duties  of  it,  have  been  of 
singular  comfort  and  advantage  to  nu-.  The  ob- 
servance of  this  day  hath  ever  had  joined  tu  it,  a 
blessing  upon  the  rest  of  my  time  :  and  the  week 

8 


86 

Aat  hath  been  so  begun,  hath  been  blessed  and 
prosperous  to  me  ;  and,  on  the  other  side,  when 
I  have  been  negligent  of  the  duties  of  this  day, 
the  rest  of  the  week  has  been  unsuccessful  and 
unhappy  to  my  own  secular  employments;  so 
that  1  could  easily  make  an  estimate  of  my  suc- 
cesses the  week  following,  by  the  manner  of  my 
f)assing  of  this  day  :  and  this  I  do  not  write  light- 
y  or  inconsiderately,  but  upon  a  long  and  sound 
observation  and  experience.'' 

It  is  said  of  the  pious  and  learned  Mr.  Gouge, 
that  as  he  forbore'  providing  suppers  on  the  evp 
before  the  Sabbath,  that  servants  might  not  be 
kept  up  too  late,  so  he  would  never  sutler  any 
servant  to  tarry  at  home  to  dress  any  meat  on 
the  Lord's  day  for  any  friends,  whether  they  were 
mean  or  great,  few  or  many. 

A  girl  of  only  eight  years  of  age,  seemed  al- 
ways much  impressed  by  what  she  heard  at  school, 
and  often  rehearsed  it  to  her  mother  after  she 
came  home.  One  evening,  the  teacher  h:id  been 
speaking  against  the  evil  of  Sabbath  profanation, 
and  Utile  JM returned  as  usual,  deeply  affect- 
ed by  the  teacher  s  remarks.  In  order  to  see  if 
she  still  recollected  this  subject,  her  mother  re- 
quested her  one  Sabbath  morning,  a  short  time 
afterwards,  to  go  to  the  well  and  fetch  some  wa- 
ter. She  looked  her  mother  in  the  face,  and  re 
plied  with  tears,  "But  God  will  see  me,  mother; 
for  he  sees  and  knows  all  that  we  do.  Have  you 
forgotten  what  we  heard  in  school  about  the  evil 
of  breaking  the  Sabbath;  I  will  rise  eaily  to- 
morrow morning,  and  bring  you  as  much  v^^ater 
as  you  please." 


87 

« 

d.  r>!).  Wliirli  (by  of  the  seven  hath  God  appointed 
to  be  the  weekly  Sahhath  1 

A.  I'Voiii  the  betrinninir  of  tlic  worKl  to  tliP  resurrec- 
tion of  Christ,  God  appoint*-d  the  seventli  day  of  the 
week  to  be  the  weekly  t^'abbath;  and  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  ever  since,  to  continue  to  the  end  of  the  world, 
whieli  is  the  Christian  Sabbath. 

Mr.  Phillip  Henry  used  to  call  the  Lord's  day, 
the  queen  ot'davs,  the  pearl  of  the  week,  and  ob- 
served it  accordine;lv.  His  coininon  salutation 
of  his  family  or  friends,  on  the  Lord  s  day  in  the 
morniiip:  was  that  of  the  primitive  Christians; 
"the  Lord  is  risen!  he  is  risen  indeed  !"  making 
it  his  chief  business  on  that  day,  to  celebrate  the 
memorv  of  Christ's  resurrection  ;  and  he  would 
say  sometimes,  •'  Every  Lord's  day  is  a  true  Chris- 
tian's Easterday." 

On  Easter  Sunday,  the  Greek  church  are  ac- 
customi^d  to  perform  a  solemn  service  in  honoi 
of  our  Lord's  resurrection.  On  Easter  Sunday 
in  1814.  the  Emperor  of  Russia,  &c.  ^c  .  not 
being-  able  as  usual,  to  assemble  for  this  purpose 
in  their  cathedral,  met,  with  the  whole  Russian 
army,  in  the  palace  of  Louis  the  XV.  at  Paris, 
when  the  service  was  performed  by  seven  of  the 
priests.  The  Emperor  kneeled  down,  as  did  his 
80.000  soldiers,  and  aU  united  in  solemn  thanks- 
givino:  to  God  for  the  resurrection  of  .lesus  L  hrist. 
The  French  soldiers,  and  innumerab'/e  spectators, 
though  ignorant  in  a  great  measure  of  the  inten- 
tion of  the  ceremony,  were  deeply  affected  with 
the  spectacle,  and  burst  into  tears. 

Mr.  John  Knox,  a  little  before  his  death,  rose 
out  of  his  bed  :  and  being  asked.  '•  Why  he  rose, 
being  so  sick?"  he  answered,  "  'I'hat  he  had  had 
in  the  night  sweet  meditations  on  the. resurrection 


88 

« 

of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  now  he  would  go  into  the 
pulpit,  and  impart  to  others  the  comforts  he  felt 
in  his  soul." 

d.  60.  How  is  the  Sabbath  to  be  sanctified  1 

A.  The  Sabbath  is  to  he  sanctified  by  a  holy  restlnor  all 
that  day,  even  from  such  worldly  employments  and' re- 
creations as  are  lawful  on  other  days;  and  spcndino-  the 
whole  time  in  the  public  and  private  exercises  of  God's 
worship,  except  so  much  as  is  to  be  taken  up  in  the  works 
of  necessity  and  mercy. ' 

A  little  boy  in  London,  who  attended  a  Sab- 
bath School,  having  occasion  every   Lord's  day 
to  go  through  a  certain  court,  observed  a  shop 
always  open  for  the  sale  of  goods.     Shocked  at 
such  a  profanation,  he  considered  whether  it  was 
possible  for  him  to  do  any  thing  to  prevent  it. 
He  determined  to  leave  a  Tract,  on  the  '•  Lord's 
Day,"  as  he  passed  the  shop  in  the  course  of  the 
week.      He  did  so ";  and  oir  the  following  Sabbath 
observed  that  the  shop  was  shut  up.     Surprised 
at  this.* he  stopped,  and  considered  whether  this 
could  be  the  effect  of  the  tract  he  had  left.      He 
ventured  to  knock  gently  at  the  door  ;  when  a 
woman  within,  thinking  it  was  a  customer,  an- 
swered aloud,  "  You  cannot  hare  any  thing  ;  wt 
clonH  sell  on  the  Sundny  .'''      Encouraged  by  whal 
he  had  heard,  the  little  boy  still  begged  for  ad- 
mittance ;  when  the  woman  recollecting  his  voice, 
said,   ■•  Come  in  my  dear  little  feHow:  it  was  you 
that  left  the  tract  here,  against  S-^bbatb-breaking,* 
and  it  alarmed  me  so,  that  I  did  not  d^re  to  keep 
my  shop  open  any  longer  ;  and  I  am  determined 
never  to  do  so  ac;ain  while  I  live." 

A  woman  who  always  used  to  attend  public 
worship  with  great  punctuality,  and  took  care  to 
be  always  in  time,  was  asked,  how  it  was  phe 


89 

could  always  come  so  early ;  she  answered,  very 
wisely,  '•  That  it  was  part  of  her  religion,  not  to 
disturb  the  religion  of  others." 

The  attention  of  a  servant  maid  in  Edinburgh 
to  the  spiritual  interest  of  a  little  girl  committed 
to  her  charge,  and  who  died  when  nine  years  old, 
was  peculiarly  owned  of  God.  The  Servant  was 
accustomed  to  attend  on  the  ministry  of  the  late 
Mr.  Patison,  and  the  child  was  permitted  to  ac- 
company her.  By  degrees;  the  attention  of  her 
young  charge  was  so  drawn  out  to  the  sermons 
she  heard,  that  the  account  she  gave  of  many  of 
the  precious  truths  which  fell  from  the  lips  of  that 
worthy  minister  of  Christ,  far  exceeded  what 
might  have  been  expected  from  her  tender  years. 
Happening,  one  day,  in  the  course  of  his  lamily 
visits,  to  call  at  the  house  where  the  dear  child 
and  her  maid  lodged,  during  the  bathing  season, 
Mr.  Patison  entered  into  conversation  with  her, 
and  from  her  punctual  attendance  on  public  or- 
dinances, took  occasion  to  ask  her  if  she  recol- 
lected his  preaching  on  Isaiah  xl  1  I.  'He  shall 
feed  his  flock  like  a  shepherd,  he  shall  gather  his 
lambs  with  his  arms,"  &c.  ''Yes,"  replied  the 
child.  ••  1  remember  it  very  well;  for  all  the  time 
you  were  preaching,  I  was  wishing  with  all  my 
heart  that  I  were  one  of  Christ's  lambs  "  "  Ah  !" 
my  dear,"  said  the  good  man,  not  a  little  affect- 
ed. "  What  a  happy  day  would  it  have  been  in 
Bristo  street,  had  all  my  hearers  been  employed 
in  a  similar  manner!" 

One  Lord  s  day,  as  a  man  was  passing  through 
Haworlh  on  horseback,  his  horse  lost  a  shoe;  ne 
applied  to  a  blacksmith,  who  told  him,  *' 'I'hat  he 
could  not  shoe  a  horse  on  the  Lord  s  day,  with- 

8* 


90 

out  the  minister's  permission."      They  went  to 
gethorto  Mr.  Grimshaw  the  minister  ot" the  place 
and  the  man  satisfying-  him  that  he  really  was  in 
haste,  going  for  a  midwife,  Mr.   Grimshaw  per- 
mitted  the  blacksmith  to  shoe  the  horse,  which 
otherwise  he  would  not  have  done  for  double  pay. 

CI.  Gl.  What  is  fovbidilon  in  the  fourtli  commandment  1 
A.  The  fiiiirtli  coiniiiandinent  forbiddeth  the  omission 
or  careless  performance  of  the  duties  required,  and  the 
|)rofar.in<^  of  the  day  by  idleness,  or  doing  that  wliic,h  is 
in  itself  sinful,  or  by  unneccessaj-y  thoui^hts,  words,  or 
works,  about  our  worldly  employments,  or  recreations. 

It  was  the  frequent  and  almost  constant  custom 
of  Mr.  Grimshaw  to  leave  his  church  while  the 
psalm  was  singing,  to  see  if  any  were  absent  from 
worship  and  idling  their  time  in  the  church-yard, 
the  street,  or  the  ale-house :  and  many  of  those 
whom  he  so  found  he  would  drive  into  the  church 
before  hiin.  "A  friend  of  mine,  says  Mr.  New- 
ton, '-passing  a  public-house  in  Haworth,  on  a 
Lord's  day  morning,  saw  several  persons  making 
their  escape  out  of  it,  some  jumping  out  of  the 
lower  windows,  and  some  over  a  low  wall :  he 
was  at  lir.st  ularmed,  fearing  the  house  was  on  fire; 
but,  on  inquiring  what  was  the  cause  of 'the  com- 
motion, he  was  told,  that  they  saw  the  parson 
coming.  They  were  more  afraid  of  their  parson 
than  they  were  of  a  justice  of  peace  His  reproofs 
were  so  authoritative,  and  yet  so  mild  and  friendly 
that  the  stoutest  sinners  could  not  stand  before 
him." 

A  minister,  observing  that  some  of  his  people 
made  a  practice  of  coming  in  very  late,  ai^d  after 
a  considerable  part  of  the  sermon  was  over,  was 
determined  that  they    should  feel    the  force  of 


91 

public  reproof.  One  day-  therefore,  a^  they  en- 
tered the  place  of  worship  at  their  usu-al  late  hour 
the  minister,  addressing  his  consrregation.  said, 
"But,  my  hearers,  it  is  time  for  us  now  to  con- 
clude, for  here  are  our  friends  just  come  to  fetch 
us  home."  We  may  easily  conjecture  what  the 
parties  felt  at  this  curious  but  pointed  address. 

On  a  Sabbath-day,  two  sons  of  a  poor  widow 
in  Derbyshire,  the  elder  sixteen  and  the  younger 
thirteen  years  of  age.  went  to  slide  on  some  ice 
at  a  short  distance  from  home..  Before  they  left 
their  habitation,  they  liad  been  requested  by  their 
mother  to  accompany  her  to  the  house  of  (lod, 
and,  whilst  on  the  ice,  were  warned  of  their  dan- 
ger, by  a  person  who  passed  bv  and  knew  the 
depth  of  the  water.  But,  alas!  their  mother's 
pious  request,  and  the  seasonable  warning  of  their 
neighbor  Avere  both  in  vain.  In  a  littJe  time  the 
ice  gave  way ;  and,  awful  to  relate !  clasped  in 
each  others^  arms,  they  sunk  to  rise  no  more ! 
Thus  were  the.se  youthful  Sabbath-breakers  called 
to  stand  before  the  judgment  seat  of  that  almighty 
Being  who  has  said,  ^' Remember  the  Sabbath- 
day,  to  keep  it  holy." 

In  the  year  1 809,  a  youth  about  seventeen  years 
of  as:e,  the  son  of  a  respectable  tradesman  in 
London,  went  out  for  the  purpose  of  sliooting 
birds  on  a  Lord's  day  in  the  aflenmon.  He  had 
done  so  more  than  once  before,  which  cominn^  to 
the  knowl  dge  of  his  father,  he  expressly  enjoined 
him  never  to  do  the  like  again  But  the  lad, 
disrea;aidina:  this  command,  and  taking  advantage 
of  his  fither's  absence,  borrowed  a  gun  from  a 
person  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  went  out  as 


92 

usual.  While  he  was  watching  the  birds,  the  gun 
by  some  accidept,  went  off,  and  killed  him  on  the 
spot.  Not  returning  at  the  accustomed  time,  his 
friends  were  alarmed ;  a  search  was  made,  and 
at  length  his  body  was  discovered  in  a  barn,  in  a 
state  too  shocking  to  be  described. 

Gl.  62.  What  are  the  reasons  annexed  to  the  fourth 
commandment  1 

A.  The  reasons  annexed  to  the  fourth  conmiandment 
are,  God's  allowing  us  six  days  of  the  week  for  our  own 
employments,  his  challengincr  a  special  property  in  the 
seventh,  his  own  example,  and  his  blessing  the  Sabbath 
day. 

"  I  now  beg  permission,"  says  one  of  the  mis- 
sionaries, "  to  relate  the  simple  argument  of  a 
pious  poor  man  with  a  Sabbath-breaker.  I  had  it 
from  the  poor  old  man  a  few  weeks  since,  in  the 
course  of  conversation  with  him.  which  very  much 
.interested  me:  He  is  a  member  of  our  church  at 
Mattishall.  In  reasoning  with  the  Sabbath  break- 
er, he  said,  '  Suppose  now,  I  had  been  at  work 
hard  all  the  week,  and  earned  seven  shillings  ;  and 
suppose  1  met  a  man,  and  gave  him  six  shillings 
out  of  the  seven,  what  should  you  say  to  that?" 
'  Why,  that  you  were  very  kind,  and  that  the  man 
ought  to  be  thankful.'  '  Well,  but  suppose  he  was 
to  knock  me  down,  and  rob  me  of  the  other  shil- 
ling; what  then?'  'Why,  then  he  would  deserve 
hanging.'  Well,  now,  this  is  your  case ;  thou 
art  the  man:  God  has  freely  given  you  six  days 
to  work  in,  and  earn  your  bread,  and  the  seventh 
he  has  kept  for  himself,  and  commands  us  to  keep 
it  holy  ;  but  you.  not  satisfied  with  the  six  daya 
God  has  given,  rob  him  of  the  seventh  ;  what 
then  do  you  deserve?'  The  man  was  silenced.' 
An  old  man  who  lived  on  the  Jura  mountain  in 


*98 

Switzerland,  where  the  winter  is  very  long  and 
the  summer  very  short,  and  where  it  is  ot  great 
consequencfi  to  preserve  their  hay,  and  put  it  up 
in  good  order  :  because,  it"  they  run  out,  tlieir 
cattle  must  sfarve,  as  the  snow  lies  so  long  and  so 
deep,  they  cannot  go  to  their  neighbors  and  get 
any,  even  if  they  had  .suflicient  to  spare.  This 
man  had  the  love  of  Jesus  anAthe  i'ear  of  God  in 
his  heart,  and  kept  the  Lord's  day  as  the  Lord 
commands  his  people  to  keep  it  One  Lord's 
day,  when  the  hay  was  just  in  the  finest  order  for 
putting  up,  his  sons  came  to  him  and  proposed  to 
Lim  to  go  and  put  up  the  hay  ;  but  he  said,  '•  Not 
so,  my  sons  ;  this  is  the  Lord' s  day."  However, 
his  sons  Avere  tempted  by  the  value  of  the~liay, 
and  the  fijieness  of  the  weather,  to  prepare  them- 
selves for  work;  but  the  moment  tiify  put  their 
forks  into  it,  a  storm  broke  over  their  heads,  and 
the  rain  poured  upon  them  in  torrents — one  of 
the  most  violent  storms  they  ever  had — and  the 
hay  was  completely  destroyed.  The  old  man  ad- 
dressed his  sons :  ''  Thou  shalt  do  no  work  on  the 
Sabbath-day.  Six  day.s  shalt  thou  labor  and  do 
all  thy  works ;  but  the  seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath 
of  the  Lord  thy  God  ;  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any 
work,  tliou,  nor  thy  son.  nor  thy  daughter,  thy 
man-servant,  nor  thy  maidservant,  nor  thy  cattle, 
nor  the  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates.  My 
sons."  continued  the  old  man,  •'?/««  have,  done  a 
■work  to  save  your  hay.  and  the  rain  iias  destroyed 
it.  Learn  from  this  to  respect  the  comniandnients 
of  the  Lord."  His  sons  never  forgot  thi^  lesson; 
and  they  never  again  did  common  work  on  the 
Lords  day. 

On  a  Lord's  day,  at.  the  time  of  the  great  frost 


94* 


in  the  vear  IG34,  fourteen  young  men  (vere  play- 
ing at  tbutball,  on  the  river  'I'lent.  near  Gains- 
burougli ;  while  thus  engaged,  in  th^  open  viola- 
tion of  God's  command,  tliey  met  together  in  a 
sculUc  ;  the  ice  suddenly  broke,  and  ihey  v.-ert 
all  drowned  ! 

When  a  minister  of  the  gospel  was  spending  k 
few  weeks  in  Edinjjurgh,  there  came,  on  business 
to  the  house  where* he  was,  a  man  of  the  world — 
one  of  those  modern  scoffers  who  are  so  constantly 
•fulfilling  Peter's  prediction,  2  Peter  iii.  3.  He 
was  introduced  to  the  preacher  in  the  following 

manner:   "  This  is  Mr. ,  an  acquaintance  of 

mine,  and  I  am  sorry  to  add,  though  young  and 
healthy,  never  attends  public  worship."  '•  i  am 
almost  tempted  to  hope."  replied  the  minister, 
"  that  you  are  bearing  false  witness  against  your 
neighbor."  "  By  no  means,"  said  the  infidel, 
"for  I  always  spend  my  Sunday  in  settling  ac- 
couuts-."  The  minister  immediately  replied, 
''  You  will  find,  sir,  that  the  day  ofjudgment  will 
be  spent  in  exactly  the  same  manner." 

Q,.  G3.  Which  is  the  fifth  commandment'? 

A.  The  fifth  commandment  is,  Honor  thy  father  and 
thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may  be  long  upon  the  land 
which  the  Lord  thy  God  jiiveth  thee. 

Q,.  Gt.  What  is  required  in  the  iit^li  command. nent  1 

A.  The  fifth  comuiandaient  reijuireth  the  preserving 
the  honor,  and  p.n-formiiig  the  duties,  belonging  to  every 
one  in  their  several  places  and  relations,  as  superiors,  in- 
feriors, or  equals. 

'I'he  judicious  Hooker  used  to  say,  "  If  1  had  no 
other  reason  and  motive  for  being  religious,  1 
would  earnestly  strive  to  be  so  for  the  sake  of 
my  aged  mother,  that  I  might  requite  her  care  of 
me,  and  cause  the  widow's  heart  to  sing  for  joy." 


95 

The  danprer  occa'^ioned  by  an  awful  eruption 
of  Mount  Etna,  many  years  since.  obllirt;ci  the 
inhabitants  of  the  adjacent  country  to  Hco  in  mery 
direction  for  safety.  Amidst  the  hurry  and  con- 
fusion of  this  scene,  every  one  carryinti-  a-\vay 
whatever  he  deemed  most  precious,  two  .sons,  the 
\)ne  named  Anaphias.  the  other  Amphonimus.  in 
<he  heij^ht  of  their  solicitude  for  the  pres^>r\•nti()n 
of  their  wealth  and  goods,  recollected  their  father 
and  mother,  who,  being  both  very  old.  were 
unable  to  save  themselves  by  flight.  Filial  ten- 
derness overcame  every  other  consideration  : — 
"  Where."  exclaimed  the  generous  youths,  ■shall 
we  find  a  more  precious  treasure  than  our  pa- 
rents?" This  said,  the  one  took  up  his  father  on 
his  shoulders,  the  other  his  mother,  and  so  made 
their  way  through  the  surrounding  smoke  and 
flames. 

A  little  boy  about  seven  years  old.  was  on  a 
visit  to  a  lady,  who  was  very  fond  of  him.  Al- 
though he  was  a  great  way  from  home,  he  behaved 
very  wiell.  and  endeavored  to  do  every  thing 
that  he  thought  would  have  pleased  his  parents 
had  they  been  present.  One  day.  at  breakt'ast, 
there  was  some  hot  bread  upon  the  table  and  it 
was  handed  to  him;  but  he  refused  to  take  it. 
"Do  vou  not  like  hot  bread?"  said  the  lady. 
"Yes,"  replied  he.  "I  am  very  f)n(l  of  it." 
"Then,  my  dear,  why  do  you  not  take  some?" 
"  Because  my  papa  does  not  approve  of  mv  eating 
hot  bread."  I  suppose  that  his  father  thmieht,  as 
most  people  think,  thathot  bread  is  not  wholesome. 
"  But  your  father,"  said  the  lady  "  is  a  pr<?at  way 
off,  and  will  not  know  whether  you  eat  it  or  not. 


90 

You  may  indulp;e  yourself  for  once.  There  will  be 
no  harm  in  that."  ''No.  I  v/ill  not  disobey  mv  fath- 
er and  mother.  I  miiSt  do  what  they  have  told  me 
to  do,  though  tney  are  a  great  way  off.  I  would 
not  touch  the  roll,  if  I  were  sure  nobody  would  see 
me,  I  myself  would  know  it:  and  that  would  be 
sufficient "  When  the  lady  found  him  so  reso- 
lute in  doing  what  was  right,  she  was  pleased 
with  him.  and  commended  him;  and.  no  doubt, 
he  felt  much  happier,  in  his  own  mind,  than  he 
would  have  done  if  he  had  eaten  the  hot  roll. 

Fro^dsriok  II.  king  of  Prussia,  made  it  a  point 
to  ret'.irn  every  mark  of  respect  or  civility  shown 
to  him  in  the  street  by  those  who  met  him  He 
one  day  observed  at  table  that,  whenever  he  rode 
through  the  streets  of  Berlin,  his  hat  was  always 
in  his  hand.  Baron  Pollnitz,  who  was  present, 
said.  "  That  his  majesty  had  no  occasion  to  notice 
the  civility  of  every  one  who  pulled  his  hat  off 
to  him  in  the  streets."  '•  And  why  not."  said  the 
king  in  a  lively  tone,  "  are  they  not  all  human 
beings  as  well  as  myself." 

Q..  G5.  Wh.Tt  is  forl)iil<1pn  in  the  fifth  commandment'? 

A.  The  fifth  commandment  forbiddetli  the  neglecting 
of,  or  doin<T  any  tliinrj  against,  the  honor  and  duty 
which  helongeth  to  every  cne  in  their  several  places  and 
relations. 

An  amiable  vouth  was  lamenting,  in  terms  of 
the  sincerest  grief  the  death  of  a  most  affection- 
ate parent.  His  companion  endeavored  to  con- 
sole him,  by  the  reflection,  that  he  had  always  be- 
haved to  the  deceased  with  (Ivfy.  /en'Jcruess.  and 
rexpecL  So  I  thought,  replied  the  youth,  "whilst 
my  parent  was  living  :  but  now  I  recollect  with 
pain  and  sorrow  many  instances  of  disobedience 


J 


97 

and  neglect,  for  which,  alas  !   it  is  too  late  to  make 
atonement." 

There  was  lately  a  man  who  had  an  only  son, 
to  whom  he  was  very  kind,  and  gave  every  thing 
that  he  liad.  When  his  son  grew  up  and  got  a 
house,  he  was  very  unkind  to  his  poor  old  father, 
whom  he  refused  to  support,  and  turned  out  of 
the  house.  The  old  man  said  to  his  grandson, 
"  Go  and  fetch  the  covering  from  my  bed,  that  I 
may  go  and  sit  by  the  way-side  and  beg."  The 
child  burst  into  tears,  and  ran  for  the  covering. 
He  met  his  father,  to  v.hom  he  said,  "  I  am  going 
to  fetch  the  rug  from  my  grandfather's  bed,  that 
he  may  wrap  it  round  him,  and  go  a-bop-ging?" 
Tommy  went  for  the  rug,  and  brought  it  to  his 
father,  and  said  to  him,  •'  Pray,  father,  cut  it  in 
two,  the  half  of  it  will  bo  large  enough  for  grand- 
father, and  perhaps  you  may  want  the  other  half 
when  1  grow  a  man  and  turn  you  out  of  doors." 
The  words  of  the  child  struck  him  so  forcibly, 
that  he  immediately  ran  to.his  father,  and  asked 
forgiveness,  and  was  very  kind  to  him  till  he  died. 

A  certain  farmer  in  England  had  an  only  son, 
to  whom  he  was  greatly  Attached,  and  never 
could  think  of  chastising  him  for  his  faults. 
When  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  he 
bade  adieu  to  his  father's  hoube,  and  went  with  a 
band  of  gypsies.  For  nearly  twenty  years  he  was 
never  heard  of  It  happened,  however,  that  the 
old  man  was  under  the  necessity  of  taking  a  jour- 
ney a  considerable  way,  with  a. large  sum  of  money. 
He  had  to  pass  a  wood,  and  as  he  went  on.  n  man 
rushed  fiom  it.  seized  his  horse,  and  demand- 
ed his  money.     The  old  man  remonstrated  with 

y 


98 

him.  lie  would  not  hear,  bu^  again  demanded 
his  money.  Most  reluctantly  he  gave  it  up. 
The  lobb  T  gazing  at  him,  .'=aid,  •■  Do  you  know 
me?"  '-No.''  said  tlie  old  man.  ••  Do  you  not 
know  me  ?"  he  repeated.  '•  No,  I  do  not  know 
you."  '■  Well,"  said  the  robber,  '•  I  am  your 
son  !"  and.  returning  his  money,  added,  •  Had 
you  corrected  me  wlien  young.  1  might  have 
been  a  comfort  to  you  ;  but  now  I  am  a  disgrace 
to  you.  and  a  pest  to  society!" 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Berridge  being  once  visited  by 
a  loqiiacious  young  lady,  who.  forgetting  the  mo- 
desty of  her  sex,  and  the  superior  gravity  of  an 
aged  divine,  engrossed  all  the  conversation  of  the 
interview  with  small  talk  concerning  her.'^elf. 
When  she  rose  to  retire,  he  said,  "  Madam,  be- 
fore you  withdraw,  I  have  one  piece  of  advice  to 
give  you;  and  that  is.  When  you  go  into  com- 
pany again,  after  you  have  talked  half  an  hour 
without  intermission.  I  recommend  it  to  you  to 
stop  a  while,  and  see  if  any  other  of  the  company 
has  any  thing  to  say  ' 

Once,  at  a  meeting  of  ministers,  a  question  was 
started  to  be  debated  among  them.  Upon  the 
first  proposal  of  it  a  confident  young  man  shoots 
his  bolt  presently.  "  'I'ruly.  '  said  he,  '•  I  hold 
it  so,"  '•  You  hold,  sir,"  answered  a  grave  min- 
ister, "it  becomes  you  to  hold  your  tongue." 

CI,  QiC)'.  What  is  the  reason  annexed  to  the  fifth  coin- 
mandiiicnt  1 

A.  Tlio  reason  annexed  to  the  fifth  commandment  is, 
a  promise  of  lonj;  life  and  |)ros|)ei'ity  (as  tar  as  it  shall 
serve  for  God's  glory  and  their  own  good)  to  all  sucii  as 
keep  this  commandment, 

Frederic,  the  late  king  of  Prussia,  having  rung 


99 

Lis  bell  one  day,  and  nobody  answerin^j,  opened 
the  door,  and  found  the  page  in  waiting,  asleep 
on  a  sofa.  He  was  just  going  to  awake  him 
when  he  perceived  the  end  of  a  paper  out  of  his 
pocket,  on  which  something  was  written;  this 
excited  his  curiosity  ;  he  pulled  it  out.  and  found 
it  to  be  a  letter  from  the  mother  of  the  page, 
thanking  him  for  having  sent  her  a  pari  of  his 
wiiges,  which  had  proved  a  very  timely  assistance 
to  her  "and,  in  conclision,  beseeching  Ciod  to 
bless  him  for  his  filial  duty.  The  king  stepped 
softly  to  his  room,  took  a  roleau  of  ducats  and 
slipped  them  with  the  letter  into  the  page's  pocket. 
Returning  to  his  apartment,  lie  rung  so  violently, 
that  the  page  awoke,  opened  the  door,  and  en- 
tered. "  You  have  been  asleep,"  said  the  king. 
The  page  attempted  to  excuse  himself;  and  in 
his  embarrassment,  happening  to  put  his  hand 
into  his  pocket,  felt  with  astonishment  the  ro- 
leau. He  drew  it  out,  turned  pale,  and  looking 
at  the  king,  burst  into  tears,  without  being  able 
to  spsak  a  word.  '•  What  is  the  matter?'  said 
the  king,  "  what  ails  you  ?"  '•  Ah  !  sire,"  said 
the  young  man,  throwing  himself  at  his  majesty's 
feet,  "somf'bodv  wishes  to  ruin  me  ;  I  know  not 
how  I  came  by  this  money  in  my  pocket." 
'•What  God  bestows,"  resumed  the  king,  '-he 
bestows  in  sleep;*  send  the  money  to  your  moth- 
er ;  salute  her  in  mv  name,  and  assure  her.  that 
I  shall  take  care  of  both  her  and  you." 

A  clergyman,  who  is  now  fulfilling  the  duties 
of  his  office  with  faithfulness  and  punctuality, 
was  asked,  when   examined  for   orders  by   the 

*  A  Gerr/an  proverb. 


100 

bishop's  chaplain,  whether  he  had  made  divinity 
his  study?  he  replied,  that  he  had  not particvlarly 
studied  it ;  "  but,"  said  he,  "  my  mother  taught 
me  the  scriptures."  "Ah!"  said  the  chaplain, 
"  mothers  can  do  great  things  !  '  The  young 
man  was  examined  with  respect  to  the  extent  of 
his  knowledge,  was  approved,  ordained,  and  desi- 
red to  preach  before  the  bishop.  The  excellent 
mother  alluded  to,  in  w'riting  to  another  of  her 
sons,  on  the  birth  of  his  eldest  child,  says,  '  Give 
him  an  education  that  his  life  may  be  useful — 
teach  him  religion  that  his  death  may  by  happj'  ?" 

Piiilip  Henry,  speaking  once  of  a  wicked  son 
in  the  neighborhood,  that  was  very  undutiful  to 
his  mother,  charged  some  of  his  children  to  ob- 
serve the  providence  of  God  concerning  him  ; 
perhaps,  saith  he,  I  may  not  live  to  see  it,  but,  do 
you  take  notice,  whether  God  do  not  come  upon 
him.  with  some  remarkable  judgment  in  this  life, 
according  to  the  threatening  implied  in  the  rea- 
son annexed  to  the  fifth  commandment;  but  he 
himself  lived  to  see  it  fulfilled  not  long  after  in  a 
very  signal  providence. 

'•  Some  time  ago,"  says  one,  '•  I  met  with  a 
little  boy  of  a  most  interesting  character.  He 
was  happet  aneath  his  grey  plaid,  in  the  bield  of 
a  preen  rash  bush.  He  had  been  readine;  for 
when  I  came  up.  he  closed  a  small  pocket  Bible. 
I  imagined  he  had  been  weeping,  for  his  eyes 
were  wet.  1  inquired  after  his  little  history,  and 
where  his  parents  lived.  '  My  father  and  mither 
are  baith  dead,'  said  he,  '  an  I  ha'e  n;ie  body  to 
leuk  to  me  but  my  maister  and  mistress,  but  they 
are  unco  kind  to  me.  Yonder  the  place  where 
my  father  stay'd ;  it  gars  me  aye  greet  when  J.  leuk 


101 

at  it.  That  was  my  fatlier's  Bible  ;  there  the 
psalm  (referring  to  the  12th)  they  sung  that  nicht 
he  de'ed.  1  m  aye  vex't(^vhen  1  read  the  psahns; 
I  iis'd  to  say  them  to  my  father  on  the  Sabbath 
nichts,  when  he  tell't  me  an'  my  wee  brithers  he 
was  soon  gaun  to  d'e.  an'  gar't  us  aye  fa'  to  the 
greetin',  but  he  bade  us  dight  our  een,  an'  no 
greet ;  for  if  we  saught  the  Almighty,  he  vvad  be 
a  father  to  us  when  he  was  dead  and  gane.'  " 

Q.  Gl.  Whitrh  is  the  sixtli  cotiimandmontl 
A.  I'he  sixth  coininamimcnt  is,  'i'liou  siialt  not  kill. 
CI.  68.    What  is  required  in  the  sixth  coininanduunt '? 
A.   The  sixth  coiniiiandineiit  requireth   all  iawlul  en- 
deavors to  preserve  our  own  life,  and  the  life  of  others. 

Sir  Theodore  Mayem,  on  his  death  bed,  gave 
this  advice  to  a  noble  friend  that  asked  his  coun- 
sel for  the  preservation  of  health, — '•  Be  mode- 
rate in  your  diet,  use  much  exercise,  and  little 
physic." 

"  A  meek  man,"  says  Mr.  Henry,  "  escapes 
many  of  those  perplexities,  those  woes,  and  sor- 
rows, and  wounds  without  cause,  which  he  that 
Is  passionate,  provoking,  and  revengeful,  brings 
upon  his  own  head."  An  instance  of  this  he 
mentions,  taken  from  Mr.  Baxter's  book  on  Pa- 
tience, "Once  as  the  author  was  going  along 
»ke  streets  of  London,  a  hectoring  rude  f'llow 
jostled  him;  he  went  on  his  way,  and  took  no 
notice  of  it ;  but  the  same  man,  alfronting  the 
next  person  he  met,  in  a  similar  manner,  he  drew 
his  sword,  and  demanded  satisfaction,  ou  wliich 
mischief  ensued." 

A  certain  person,  being  on  a  jury  in  trial  of 
life  and  death,  he  was  completely  satisfied  of  the 
innocence  of  the  prisoner ;  all  the  other  eleven 

9*- 


102 

•were  of  the  opposite  opinion ;  but  he  was  resol,- 
ved,  that  a  verdict  of  guilty  should  not  be  brought 
in.  In  the  lirst  place,  he  spent  several  hours  in 
trying  to  convince  them  ;  but  found  tliat  he 
made  no  impression,  and  that  he  was  exhausting 
the  strength  which  was  to  be  reserved  for  another 
mode  of  operation.  He  therefore,  calmly  told 
theni  it  should  now  be  a  trial  who  could  endure 
confinement  and  famine  the  longest,  and  that 
they  might  be  quite  assured  he  would  sooner  die 
than  release  them  at  the  expense  of  the  piiso- 
iier's  life.  In  this  situation  they  spent  about 
twenty-four  hours,  when,  at  length,  they  all  ac- 
ceded to  his  i-erdict  of  acquittal. 

The  Romans  had  a  law,  that  no  person  should 
approach  the  emperor's  tent  in  the  night,  upon 
pain  of  death ;  but  it  once  happened,  that  a  sol- 
dier was  found  in  that  situation,  with  a  petition 
in  his  hand,  waiting  for  an  opportunity  of  present- 
ing it.  He  was  apprehended,  and  going  to  be 
immediately  executed ;  but  the  emperor  having 
overheard  the  matter  in  his  pavilion,  cried  aloulJ, 
saying,  '•  if  the  petition  be  for  himself  let  him  die, 
if  for  another  spare  his  life."  Upon  inquiry,  it 
was  found  that  the  generous  soldier  prayed  for 
the  lives  of  his  two  comrades  who  had  been  taken 
asleep  on  the  watch.  The  emperor  nobly  forgave 
them  all. 

CI.  G9    What  is  forbidden  in  the  sixth  coinmandnient  ? 

A.  The  sixth  comtiiatKhnent  forl)id(h^th  tlie  takiiiir  away 
of  our  own  life,  or  llie  hfo  of  our  neighbour  unjustly,  or 
whatsoever  tendeth  thereunto. 

It  is  recorded  of  .John  Dod,  that  one  night, 
very  late,  he  felt  strongly  moved  to  visit  a  gentle- 
man of  his  acquaintance,  who  lived  at  some  dis- 
tance.     Not  knowing  what  might  be  the  design 


103 

of  Providence  in  this,  he  went.  Ilavins;  come  to 
the  house  and  knocked  at  the  door,  the  gentleman 
himself  opened  it ;  to  whom  Mr.  Dod  said,  '•  I  am 
come  to  you;  I  know  not  why  myself,  but  I  wa.s 
restless  in  my  spirit  till  I  had  done  it."  The  gen- 
tleman replied,  "  You  know  not  why  you  came; 
but  God  know  why  he  sent  vou."  On  which  he 
pulled  out  the  halter  with  which  he  intended  to 
take  away,  his  own  life,  which  by  this  means  was 
happily  prevented. 

A  gentleman  who  was  very  ill,  sendi;>g  for  the 
late  Dr.  Lake,  told  him  that  he  fuund  he  must 
die.  and  g-ave  him  the  following^  account  of  the 
cau.se  of  his  death.  He  had  about  a  fortnight 
before  been  riding  over  Hounslow-heath,  where 
several  boys  were  playing  at  cricket.  One  of 
them,  striking  the  ball,  hit  him  just  on  the  toe 
with  it.  looked  him  in  the  face,  and  ran  away. 
His  toe  pained  him  extremely.  As  soon  as  he 
came  to  Brentford,  he  .sent  for  a  surgeon,  who 
was  for  cutting  it  off.  But  unwilling  to  sufFvir  that, 
he  went  on  to  London.  When  he  arrived  there, 
he  immediately  called  another  surgeon  to  examine 
it,  who  told  him  his  foot  must  be  cut  off  But 
neither  would  he  hear  of  this ;  and  so,  before  the 
next  day,  the  mortification  siezed  his  leg^  and  in 
a  nay  or  two  more  struck  up  into  his  hodij.  Dr. 
Lake  asked  him.  whether  he  knew  the  boy  that 
struck  the  ball?  he  answered,  '•  About  ten  years 
ago,  I  was  riding  over  Honnslow-heath,  where  an 
old  man  ran  by  my  horse's  side,  begged  me  to 
relieve  him.  and.  said  he  was  almost  famished.  I 
bade  him  be  gone.  He  kept  up  with  me  still; 
upon  which  I  threatened  to  beat  him.  Finding 
that  he  took  no  notice  of  this,  I  drew  my  sword, 


104 

and  with  one  blow  killed  him.  A  boy  about  four 
years  old  who  was  with  him  screamed  out.  '  His 
lather  was  killed  !'  His  face  I  perfectly  remem- 
ber. That  boy  it  was  who  struck  the  ball  against 
me,  lohich  is  the  cause  of  my  deathJ 

Alexander  the  Great  having  invited  several  of 
his  friends  and  general  officers  to  supper,  pro- 
posed a  crown  as  a  reward  for  him  who  should 
drink  most.  He  who  conquered  on  this  occasion 
was  Promachus,  who  swallowed  fourteen  mea- 
sures of  wine,  that  is  eighteen  or  twenty  pints. 
After  receiving  the  prize,  which  was  a  crown 
worth  a  talent,  i.  e.  about  a  thousand  crowns,  he 
survived  his  victor}^  only  three  days.  Of  the  rest 
of  the  guests,  forty  diedof  their  intemperate  drink- 
ing:.    "  The  end  of  these  thin£;s  is  death." 

Q..  70.  Which  is  the  seventh  comma mimcnf? 

A.  The  seventh  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt  not  com- 
mit adultery. 

Q..  71.  What  is  required  in  the  seventh  command- 
ment ■? 

A.  The  seventh  commandment  requireth  the  preserva- 
tion of  our  own  and  our  neighbour's  chastity,  in  heart, 
speech,  and  behaviour. 

Alexander  the  Great,  having  defeated  Darius 
king  of  Persia,  the  wife  and  daughters  of  Darius, 
who  were  women  of  remarkable  beauty,  were 
taken  captive.  '  'J'hough  it  was  but  too  common 
to  use  female  captives  with  indecency.  Alexander 
strictly  avoided  every  thing  in  his  conduct  towards 
them  that  would  have  given  them  cause  to  snsnect 
any  danger  to  their  honour ;  and  no  doubt,  think- 
ing it  was  more  glorious  and  worthy  of  a  king 
to  conquer  himself,  than  to  subdue  his  enemies. 
he  never  approached  any  of  them,  but  permitted 
them  to  live  unseen  in  the  greatest  privacy. 


105 

Mr.  Newton,  as  a  commander  of  a  slave  ship, 
had  a  number  of  women  under  his  absolute  com- 
mand; and  knowing  the  danger  of  his  situation 
on  that  account,  he  resolved  to  abstain  from  flesh 
in  his^bod.  and  to  drink  nothing  stronger  than 
water  during  the  voyage  ;  that  by  abstemiousness 
he  might  subdue  every  improper  emotion.  Upon 
his  setting  sail,  the  sight  of  a  certain  point  of  land, 
was  the  signal  for  his  beginning  a  rule  which  lie 
was  enabled  to  keep 

Dr.  Hugh  Latimer,  one  of  the  primitive  re- 
formers, was  made  Bishop  of  Worcester  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  VIII.  It  was  the  custom  of  those 
times  for  each  of  the  bishops  to  make  presents  to 
the  king  on  new-year's  day.  Bishop  Latimer 
went  with  the  rest  of  his  brethren,  to  make  the 
usual  offering;  but  instead  of  a  purse  of  gold, 
he  presented  the  king  with  a  New-Testament,  in 
which  was  a  leaf  doubled  down  to  this  passage  : 
"Whoremongers  and  adulterers  God  will  judge." 

Q..  7"2.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  seventh  command- 
ment ? 

A.  The  seventh  commandment  forbiddeth  all  unchaste 
thoughts,  words,  and  actions. 

A  lady  of  suspected  chastity,  and  who  was 
tinctured  with  intidel  principles,  conversing  wifli 
a  minister  of  the  gospel  objected  to  the  .Scrip- 
tures on  account  of  their  obscurity,  and  the  great 
difficulty  of  understanding  them.  The  minister 
wisely  and  smartly  replied. — "  Why.  madam, 
what  can  be  easier  to  understand  than  the  seventh 
commandment,  Tkoii  shnlt  not  commit  adultery.^ 

Anthony  Wi'liam  Boehm,  a  German  divine, 
once  preached  from  Exod.  xx.  14.  "Thou  shalt 
not  commit  adultery."     A  Chevalier,  who  was 


106 

one  of  his  hearers,  felt  himself  so  much  offended 
and  insulted,  that  he  challenged  Boehm  to  fight 
a  duel,  because  he  thought  his  sermon  designed 
entirely  to  oH'end  Isini.  Boehm  accepted  the 
cha'lenge,  and  appeared  in  his  robes,  but  instead 
of  a  pistol,  he  liad  the  Bible  in  his  hand,  and 
spoke  to  him  in  the  following  maimer:  "  I  ara 
sorry  you  were  so  much  olfended  when  I  preach- 
ed against  that  destructive  vice;  at  the  time  I 
did  not  even  think  of  you  :  here  I  appear  w'ith  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  if  your  cojiscience  con- 
demns you.  I  beseech  you  for  your  own  salvation, 
to  repent  of  your  sin.?,  and  lead  a  new  life.  If 
you  will,  then  fire  at  me  immediately  :  for  1  Avould 
willingly  lose  my  life,  if  that  might  be  the  means 
of  saving  your  soul.  '  7'he  Chevalier  was  so  struck 
with  this  lan<ruao;e.  that  he  embraced  him,  and 
Solicited  his  friendship. 

it  is  said  that  Henry  the  Great  of  France,  took 
mui  h  pleasure  in  conversing  with  an  honest  and 
religious  man  of  low  situation  in  life,  who  used 
great  freedom  with  liis  majesty.  One  day,  he  said 
to  the  king,  '  sire,  I  always  take  your  part  when 
I  hear  any  man  speaking  evil  of  you;  1  know  that 
you  excel  injustice  and  generosity,  and  that  many 
worthy  things  have  been  done  by  you.  But  you 
have  one  vice  lor  which  God  will  condemn  you 
if  you  do  not  repent,  1  mean  the  unlawlul  love  of 
women."  The  king,  it  is  said,  was  too  magnani- 
mous to  resent  this  reproof  but  he  long  felt  it  like 
an  arrow  in  his  bosom;  and  sometimes  said,  that 
the  most  eloquent  discourses  of  the  doctors  of  the 
Sorbonne  had  never  made  such  an  impression  on 
his  soul,  as  this  honest  reproof  from  his  humble 
friend. 


107 

d.  73.  "Which  is  the  eiijlilh  romtnandmontl 
A.  The  ciirhtli  coiniiKimiiiu  nt  is,  Tlion  shall  not  steal  1 
(X.  74.  Wh:it  is  rcciuircil  in  tho  oi;.'!!!!!  ro-ninanilincnt  1 
A.  The  eiijhth  coiiimru\iIiii(>iit  n'(|iiir('lh  the  hiwCiil  pro- 

curin<j  anil   furthrrinjr  the  wealth  and  outward  estate  of 

ourselves  and  others. 

Two  persons  who  were  employed  in  collect- 
ine;  money  for  some  public  charity,  knocked  at  the 
door  of  a  certain  p:entleman,  intending  to  solicit 
hi'!  donation.  While  waiting  there  they  over- 
heard the  master  of  the  house  severely  reproving 
his  servant,  for  the  wa-te  of  a  small  piece  of  can- 
dle. Judging  from  this  appearance  of  extreme 
parsimony,  that  he  was  a  covetous  man  one  of 
them  proposed  that  they  should  lose  no  more  time 
in  waiting  there,  but  go  on  to  the  next  house :  the 
other  person,  however,  thought  it  best  to  stay. 
At  length  they  were  introduced,  when  the  gen- 
tleman, having  read  their  case,  immediately  pre- 
sented them  \\ilh  five  guineas  The  collectors, 
so  agreeably  disappointed,  could  not  conceal  their 
surprise  ;  which,  beins:  observed  bv  the  donor,  he 
desired  to  know  why  th^^y  expressed  so  much  won- 
der at  the  gift.  '■  The  reason,  sir."  said  one  of 
them,  ''is  this:  we  happened  to  hear  you  se- 
verely blaming  your  servant  r>r  losing  an  inch  of 
candle,  and  expected  nothing  from  a  person  who, 
we  feared  was  so  parsimonious."  "  Gentlemen.' 
replied  he,  "it  is  true  I  am  very  exact  in  the 
economy  of  my  affairs:  I  cannot  endure  the 
waste  of  any  thine:,  however  small  its  value; 
and  I  do  this,  that  I  may  save  out  of  a  moderate 
income,  something  to  give  to  (lod  and  reli'jion. 

A  nobleman,  lately  travelline:  in  Scotland  was 
asked  for  alms,  in  the  lli'/h  stre>»t  <if'  Tidinbureh, 
by  a  little  ragged  boy ;  he  said  he  had  no  change  ; 


108 

upon  wKich  the  boy  oiTered  to  procure  it.  His 
lordsliip,  in  order  to  get  rid  of  his  importunity, 
gave  him  a  piece  of  silver,  which  the  boy  conceiv- 
ing was  to  be  changed,  ran  off  for  the  purpose. 
On  his  return,  not  finding  his  benefactor,  who  he 
expected  would  have  v/aited;  he  watched  for  seve- 
ral days  in  the  place  where  he  had  received  the 
money,  pursuing  his  occupation.  At  length  the 
nobleman  happened  again  to  pass  that  way  ;  he 
accosted  him,  and  put  the  change  he  had  procured 
into  his  hand,  counting  it  with  great  exactness. 
His  lordship  was  sopleased  with  the  boy's  honesty, 
that  he  placed  him  at  school  and  designed  to  do 
for  him. 

Some  years  ago,  resided  in  a  country  village,  a 
poor  but  worthy  clergyman,  who.  with  the  small 
stipend  of  40Z.  per  annum,  supported  himself,  a 
wife,  and  seven  children.  At  one  time  walking  and 
meditating  in  the  fields  in  much  distress,  from  the 
narrowness  of  his  circumstances,  he  stumbled  on 
a  purse  of  gold.  Looking  around  in  vain  to  find 
its  owner,  he  carried  it  home  to  his  wife  ;  who 
advised  him  to  employ  it,  at  least  a  part  of  it.  in 
extricating  thera  from  their  present  difficulty  ;  but 
he  conscientiously  refused,  until  he  hnd  used  his 
utmost  endeavors  to  find  out  the  former  pro- 
prietor, assuring  her,  that  honesty  is  always  the 
best  policy.  After  a  short  time,  it  was  owned  by 
a  gentleman,  who  lived  at  some  little  distance,  to 
'  whom  the  clergyman  returned  it,  with  no  other 
reward  than  thanks.  On  the  good  man's  return, 
his  v/ife  could  not  help  reproaching  the  gentle 
man  with  ingratitude,  and  censuring  the  over- 
scrupulous honesty  of  her  husbaiyl ;  but  he  only 
replied  as  before,  honesty  is  'the  best  policy.     A 


109 

few  months  after  this,  the  curate  received  an  in- 
vitation to  dine  with  the  gentleman,  who  after 
hospitably  entertaining  him,  gave  him  the  presen- 
tation to  a  living  of  300/.  per  annum,  to  which 
he  added,  a  bill  of  50/.  for  his  present  necessities. 
The  curate,  after  making  suitable  acknowledge- 
ments to  his  benefactor,  returned  with  joy  to  his 
wife  and  family,  acquainting  them  with  the  happy 
change  in  his  circumstances ;  and  adding,  that 
he  hoped  she  would  now  be  convinced  that 
honesty  loas  the  best  policy ;  to  which  she  readily 
assented. 

Q,.  75.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  einhth  coiiimandinentl 
A.  The   eighth  cominandment  forbiddeth   whatsoever 

doth  or  may  unjustly  liindcr  our  own  or  our  neighbor's 

wealth  or  outward  estate. 

A  gentleman  in  Surrey,  some  years  a^o,  held  a 
farm  worth  200/  a-year  in  his  own  hands,  till  he 
was  obliged  to  sell  half  of  it  to  pay  his  debts,  and 
letthe  other  half  to  a  farmer,  on  a  lease  of  2 1  years. 
After  a  while,  the  farmer  wanted  to  buy  the  land. 
'•  How  is  this. '  said  the  gentleman,  '■  that  I  could 
not  live  upon  the  farm,  being  my  own,  while  you 
have  paid  rent,  and  yet  are  able  to  purchase  it  ?" 
"  O,"  said  the  farmer,  "  two  words  make  all  the 
difference:  you  said  i.'^fl,  and  I  say  co/«e  ;  you  lay 
in  bed,  or  took  your  pleasure,  and  sent  others 
about  your  business ;  and  I  rise  Betimes,  and  see 
my  business  done  myself." 

One  of  the  catechists  of  a  Sabbath  school 
going  to  visit  a  boy  who  had  been  absent,  heard 
the  following  story  related  by  his  mother ;  "  U  mo- 
ther !"  exclaimed  the  boy.  as  he  entered  the  house 
one  day,  '•  something  has  killed  all  my  rabbits." 
Without  giving  his  mother  time  to  reply,  he  con- 

10 


110 

tinued.  "  It  is  a  judgment  of  God  come  upon  me 
for  stealing  meat  for  them  ;  but,"  said  he,  "  I  am 
glad  that  I  have  none  left,  for  they  would  have 
been  a  temptation  to  make  me  steal  again." 

Mr.  Samuel  Fairclough,at  thirteen  years  of  age, 
hearing  his  godfather,  Mr.  Samuel  Ward,  preach- 
ing on  restitution,  from  the  instance  of  Zaccheus, 
and  often  repeating,  that  the  sin  was  not  forgiven 
unless  what  was  taken  was  restored,  was  so 
touched  with  remorse  for  the  robbincr  of  an  or- 
chard,  that,  after  a  restless  night,  he  went  to  a 
companion  of  his,  who  was  guilty  of  the  same 
crime,  and  told  him  that  he  was  going  to  Mr.  Jude, 
the  owner,  to  carry  him  twelve  pence  for  his 
three-penny  worth  of  pears,  of  whichhe  had  wrong- 
ed him.  His  companion,  fearing  whipping  from 
bis  master,  answered,  Thou  talkest  like  a  fool, 
Sam,  for  God  will  forgive  us  ten  times  sooner  than 
old  Jude  will  forgive  us  once.  But  Sam,  being 
of  another  mind,  went  to  .Tude's  house,  confessed 
the  injury,  and  offered  the  money.  .Tude  par- 
doned him;  but  would  take  no  money.  This 
grieved  him  more ;  upon  which  he  made  ap- 
plication to  his  spiritual  father,  Mr.  Ward,  and 
opened  to  him  the  whole  state  of  his  mind,  wIiq 
received  and  treated  him  with  great  kindness  and 
attention. 

Mr.  Boston  states  in  his  memoirs,  that  having 
been  employed,  when  a  young  man,  for  some  time, 
by  a  notary,  his  employer  failed  to  pay  him  for 
his  services.  Seeing  a  neglected  book  lying  in 
the  notary's  chamber,  he  secretly  took  it  away, 
thinking  he  might  lawfully  iise  this  method  of 
paying  himself ;  but  on  farther  reflection,  he  view- 


Ill 

ed  his  conduct  as  sinful,  and  inconsistent  with 
strict  justice.  Impressed  with  this  conviction,  he 
replaced  the  book  with  the  same  secresy  in  which 
he  had  taken  it  away.  An  amiable  instance  of 
that  tenderness  of  conscience  for  which  the  ven- 
erable man  was  remarkable. 

Q,.  16.  What  is  the  ninth  commandment "? 

A.  The  ninth  cominandiiient  is,  Thou  slialt'not  bear 
false  witness  ajrainst  thy  neighbor. 

Q,.  77.  What  is  required  in  the  ninth  commandment  1 

A.  The  ninth  commandment  rcquireth  the  maintaining 
and  promoting  of  truth  between  man  and  man,  and  of  our 
own  and  our  neighbor's  good  nagie,  especially  in  witness- 
bearing. 

Petrarch,  a  celebrated  Italian  poet  who  flour- 
ished 400  years  aeo,  recommended  himself  to  the 
confidence  and  aiiection  of  Cardinal  Colonna.  in 
whose  family  he  resided,  by  his  candor  and  strict 
regard  to  truth.  A  violent  quarrel  having  occur- 
red in  Cardinal  Colonna's  household,  the  Car- 
dinal, wishing  to  decide  with  justice,  assembled 
all  his  people,  and  obliged  them  to  bind  themselves 
by  a  solemn  oath  on  the  gospel  to  declare  the 
whole  truth.  Every  one  without  exception  sub- 
mitted to  his  determination,  even  the  Cardinal's 
brother,  bishop  of  Luna,  was  not  excused.  -  Pe- 
trarch, in  his  turn,  presented  himself  to  take  the 
oath  ;  the  Cardinal  closed  the  book,  and  said.  •'  As 
to  you,  Petrarch,  your  icordis  sujficical"' 

When  the  late  president  of  the  United  States 
of  America  was  about  six  years  of  age  snne  one 
made  him  a  present  of  a  hatchet.  Iliglily  pleased 
with  his  weapon,  he  went  about  chopping  every 
thing  that  came  in  his  way;  and  going  into  the 
garden,  he  unluckily  tried  its  edge  on  aa  English 
cherry-tree,  stripping  off  its  bark,  and  leaving 


112 

little  hopes  of  its  recovery.     The  next  morning, 
when  his  father  saw  the  tree,  which  was  a  great 
favorite,  he  inquired  who  had  done  the  mischief, 
declaring  he  would  not  have  taken  five  guineas 
for  it ;  but  no  ons  could  inform  him  of  the  offender. 
At    length,    however,    came    George,    with    the 
hatchet  in  his  hand,  into  the  place  where  the 
father  was,  who  immediately  suspected  him  to  be 
the  culprit.      "  George,"  said  the  old  gentleman, 
"  do  you  know  who  killed  that  beautiful  little 
cherry-tree  yonder  in  the  garden?"      The  child 
hesitated  for  a  moment,  and  then  nobly  said,  "  / 
cannot  tell  a  lie,  papa, — you  know  I  cannot  tell  a 
lie. — I  did  cut  it  with  the  hatchet !"      '•  Run  to 
my  arms  !  Glad  am  I,  George,*that  you  have  kill- 
ed my  tree — you  have  paid  me  for  it  a  thousand 
fold  !   Such  an  act  of  heroism  in  my  son  is  of 
more  worth  than  a  thousand  cherry-trees,  though 
blossomed  with  silver,  and  their  fruits  of  gold." 
Not  many  years  ago,  a  man  waited  on  a  magis- 
trate near  Hitchen,  in  the  county  of  Hertford,  and 
informedhimthathehadbeen  .stopped  by  a  young 
gentleman  in  Hitchen,   who  had  knocked  him 
down,  and  searched  his  pockets ;  but  not  finding 
any  thing,  he  suffered  him  to  depart.      The  ma- 
gistrate, astonished  at  this  piece  of  intelligence, 
despatched  a  messenger  to  the  young  gentleman, 
ordering  him  to  appear  immediately,  and  answer 
to  the  charge  exhibited  against  him.      The  youth 
oba^yed  the  summons,  accompanied  by  his  guar- 
dian and  an  intimate  friend.     Upon  their  arrival 
at  the  seat  of  justice,  the  accused  and  the  accuser 
were  confronted ;  when  the  magistrate  hinted  to 
the  man,  he  was  afraid  he  had  made  the  charge 
with  no  other  view  than  that  of  extorting  money, 


113 

and  bade  him  take  care  how  he  proceeded ;  ex- 
horting him  in  the  most  earnest  and  pathetic  man- 
ner, to  beware  of  the  dreadful  train  of  conse- 
quences attending  perjury.  The  man  insisted 
upon  making  oath  to  what  he  had  advanced  ;  the 
oath  was  accordingly  administered  and  the  busi- 
ness fully  investigated,  when  the  innocence  of  the 
young  gentleman  was  established  by  the  most  in- 
controvertible evidence.  The  infamous  wretch 
finding  his  intention.s  thus  frustrated,  returned 
home  much  chagrined  ;  and  meeting  soon  after- 
wards with  one  of  his  neighbors,  he  declared  he 
had  sworn  to  nothing  but  the  truth,  calling  God 
to  witness  the  same  in  the  most  solemn  manner, 
and  wished,  it'  it  was  not  as  he  Imd  said,  his  jaws 
might  be  locked,  and  that  his  flesh  might  rot  upon 
his  bones;  when,  terrible  to  relate  !  his  jsiws  were 
instantly  arrested,  and  the  use  of  that  faculty  he 
had  so  awfully  perverted  was  denied  him  forever  ! 
and,  after  lingering  nearly  a  fortnight,  he  expired 
in  the  greatest  agonies,  his  flesh  literally  rotting 
upon  his  bones ! 

CI.  78.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  ninth  commandment  1 
A.  The  ninth  cominanduient  forbiildcth  whatsoever  is 
prejudicial  to  trutli,  or  injurious  to  our  own  or  our  neigh- 
bor's good  name. 

"  It  was  but  the  other  night."  says  a  pious  gen- 
tleman, •'  that  [  wandered  across  the  bleak  and 
barren  mountains,  at  the  foot  of  which  stands  the 
little  cottage  where  I  was  born:  and,  O  delight- 
ful thought,  born  again !  Yes,  it  was  at  that 
humble  spot,  that  I  ficst  tasted  the  bitter  cup  of 
true  repentance,  and  drank  of  the  spring  of  peace, 
purity  and  joy  :  the  remembrance  of  which  often 
fills  my  eyes. with  tears,  and  my  heart  with  rap- 

10* 


114 

ture.  Seeing  a  cottage  at  a  distance,  I  walked  up 
to  it,  entered,  and  told  the  inmates  tlie  cause  of 
my  being  there.  I  was  most  kindly  received. 
Seven  sweet  children  were  stationed  round  the 
homely  board  :  yet,  sadness  seemed  to  pervade 
the  whole  circle.  On  asking  the  cause,  the  mo- 
ther informed  me,  that  one  of  the  children  had 
been  telling  a  falsehood ;  upon  this  a  little  girl 
was  instantly  covered  with  blushes,  and  a  tear 
started  fiom  her  eye.  'Robert,'  said  the  father, 
'  bring  the  Bible,  and  show  your  sister  who  it  is 
she  has  offended.'  The  little  boy.  younger  than 
herself,  read  the  ninth  commandment,  and  the 
first  eleven  verses  of  the  fifth  chapter  of  the  Acts. 
This  being  done,  every  member  of  the  family 
brought  a  proof  from  Scripture  of  the  sin  and 
danger  of  lying.  The  father,  then,  with  much  af- 
fection, showed  them  that  this  was  as  offensive  to 
God  now,  as  it  was  when  he  struck  Ananias  and 
Sapphira  dead  ;  and  that  it  was  of  the  Lord's  mer- 
cies we  were  not  consumed.  He  then  sung  the 
51st  psalm,  read  a  portion  of  the  word  of  God,  fre- 
quently making  pious  and  solemn  observations  as 
he  went  along,  and  afterwards  prayed  with  his 
children  most  devoutly.  On  ri.sing  from  prayer, 
the  offending  girl  wept  bitterly.  She  approached 
her  father  with  pensive  looks,  begged  him  to  for- 
give the  offence,  and  withdrew,  that  she  might 
pray  alone  to  God  for  /tis  forgiveness.  I  vras  of 
course  highly  gratified.  I  returned  home  under 
the  deep  impression  of  the  awfulness  of  the  sin  of 
lying;  and  could  not  help  wishing  that  all  pa- 
rents would  correct  their  children  in  a  similar 
way,  whenever  they  offended  in  a  similar  manner." 

One  day  there  happened  a  tremendous  storm 


115 

of  lightning  and  thunder,  as  Archbishop  Leighton 
was  going  t'rom  Glasgow  to  Dunblane.  He  was 
descried,  when  at  a  distance,  by  two  men  of  bad 
character.  They  had  not  courage  to  rob  him: 
but  wishing  to  fall  on  some  method  of  extorting 
money  from  him,  one  said,  '•  I  will  lie  down  by  the 
way-side  as  if  I  were  dead,  and  you  shall  inform 
the  archbishop,  that  I  was  killed  by  the  lisjhtning, 
and  beg  money  of  him  to  bury  me."  When  the 
archbishop  arrived  at  the  spot,  the  wicked  wretch 
told  him  the  fabricated  story.  He  synipathised 
with  the  .survivor,  gave  him  money,  and  proceed- 
ed on  hi.s  journey.  But  when  the  man  returned 
to  his  companion,  he  found  him  really  lifeless  ! 
Immediately  he  began  to  exclaim,  '•  Oh !  sir,  he 
is  dead!  Oh!  sir,  he  is  dead!"  On  this  the  arch- 
bishop discovering  the  fraud,  left  the  man  with 
this  impirtant  reflection,  "  It  is  a  dangerous  thing 
to  trifle  with  the  judgments  of  God." 

When  any  one  was  speaking  ill  of  another  in 
the  presence  of  Peter  the  Great,  he  at  first  li-ten- 
ed  to  him  attentively,  and  then  interrupted  him. 
"  Is  there  not,"  said  he,  '•  a  fair  side  also  to  the 
character  of  the  person  of  whom  you  are  .speak- 
ing? Come,  tell  me  what  good  qualities  you  have 
remarked  about  him  ?" 

CI.  70.  Which  is  the  tenth  comin.'indmont? 

A.  Tlio  tenth  commandmont  is,  Thou  shalt  not  covet 
thy  nci;:hl)or's  house,  thou  shall  not  covt-t  thy  neinlilior's 
wife,  nor  his  man-servant,  nor  his  maid-servant,  rior  his 
ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  anv  thinu  that  is  thy  neiirhl)or's. 

d.  1^0.  What  is  requiri'il  in  tiic  tenth  roiniinndinent  ? 

A.  The  tenth  coinnian(hnent  requireth  full  content- 
ment with  our  own  condition,  with  a  ritrht  and  eliarital)le 
frame  of  spirit  toward  our  neighbor,  and  all  that  is 
his. 


116 

"  No  doubt,"  said  the  late  Mr.  Brown  of  Had- 
dington, ••  1  have  met  with  trials  as  well  as  others  ; 
yet  so  kind  has  God  been  to  me,  that  1  think,  i{ 
God  were  to  give  me  as  many  years  as  I  have 
already  lived  in  the  v/orld,  I  would  not  desire 
one  single  circumstance  in  my  lot  changed,  ex- 
cept that  I  wish  I  had  less  sin.  It  might  be 
Written  on  my  coffin;  Here  lies  one  of  the  cares 
of  providence,  who  early  wanted  both  father  and 
mother,  and  yet  never  missed  them." 

An  Italian  bishop  struggled  through  great  dif- 
ficulties without  repining,and  met  with  much  op- 
position, without  ever  betraying  the  least  impa- 
tience. An  intimate  friend  of  his,  who  highly  ad- 
mired these  virtues  which  he  thought  impossible 
to  imitate,  one  day  asked  the  bishop,  if  he  could 
communicate  his  secret  of  being  always  easy  ? 
"  Yes,"  replied  the  old  man,  "  I  can  teach  you  my 
secret  with  ereat  facility  :  it  consists  in  nothins: 
more  than  making  a  right  use  of  my  eyes."  His 
friend  begged  him  to  explain  himself  "  Most 
willingly,"  returned  the  bishop:  "in  whatever 
state  I  am.  I  first  of  all  look  up  to  Heaven,  and 
remember  that  my  principal  business  here,  is  to 
get  there ;  I  then  look  down  on  the  earth,  and 
call  to  mind  how  small  a  space  I  shall  occupy  in 
it  when  I  come  to  be  interred ;  I  then  look  abroad 
on  the  world,  and  observe  what  multitudes  there 
are  who  are  in  all  respeft.s  more  unhappy  than 
myself  Thus  I  learn  where  true  happiness  is 
placed,  where  all  our  cares  must  end.  and  how 
very  little  reason  I  have  to  repine  or  complain." 

A  poor  little  boy,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Chat- 
ham, was  bound  apprentice  to  a  chimney  sweeper. 


117 

Some  time  afterwards  he  began  to  attend  the 
Sabbath  school,  and  there  was  reason  to  liope  that 
the  instructions  he  received  were  made  useful  to 
hisY>recious  soul.  Being  one  day  sent  to  sweep 
a  chimney,  instead  of  the  dismal  noise  which  is 
usually  made  on  those  occasions,  he  was  heard  to 
sing  these  sweet  lines  of  Doctor  Watts  : 

"  The  sorrows  of  the  mind 

Be  banish'il  from  this  place  ; 
Relij^ion  never  was  desiirji'd 
To  make  our  pleasures  less." 

What  a  striking  instance  of  the  power  of  religion 
on  the  youthful  mind  !  it  not  only  promotes  sub- 
mission in  a  state  the  most  abject,  and  a  calling 
the  most  dangerous,  but  imparts  true  pleasure 
even  when  surrounded  with  the  darkness  and 
soot  of  a  chimney. 

Q,.  81.  What  is  forbidden  in  the  tenth  comiiiandinent? 

A.  The  tenth  coinmandmcnt  forbiddeth  all  discontent- 
ment with  our  own  estate,  envyinir  or  irrievinjr  at  the  vrood 
of  our  nei'^hbor,  and  all  inordinate  motions  and  alVectiona 
to  any  thing  that  is  his. 

"  When  I  was  a  lad."  says  one.  "an  old  gentle- 
man took  some  trouble  to  teach  me  some  little 
knowledge  of  the  world.  With  this  view  I  re- 
member he  once  asked  me,  wlien  a  man  was  rich 
enough?  I  replied,  when  he  has  a  thousand 
pounds.  He  said.  No. — Two  thousand  ?  No. 
— Ten  thousand  ?  No — Twenty  thousand  ?  No. 
— An  hundred  thousand  ?  whieh  I  thought  would 
settle  the  business  ;  but  he  still  continuing  to  say 
No,  I  gave  it  up,  and  confessed  I  could  not  tell, 
but  b'»!rp;ed  he  would  inform  me.  lie  gravely 
said.  When  he  has  a  little  more  than  he  has,  and 
that  is  never !  If  he  acquires  one  thousand,  he 
wishes  to  have  two  thousand ;  then  five,  then  ten, 


118 

then  twenty,  then  fifty  ;  from  thai  his  riches 
would  amount  to  a  hundred  thousand,  and  so  on 
till  he  had  grasped  the  v/hole  world  ;  after  which 
he  would  look  about  him,  like  Alexander,'  for 
other  worlds  to  possess." 

A  young  person  once  mentioned  to  Dr.  Frank- 
lin, his  surprise,  that  the  possession  of  great  riches 
should  ever  be  attended  with  undue  solicitude; 
and  instanced  a  merchant,  who  although  in  pos- 
session of  unbounded  wealth,  was  as  busy,  and 
much  more  anxious  than  the  most  assiduous  clerk 
in  his  counting-house.  The  Doctor,  in  reply, 
took  an  apple  from  the  fruit  basket,  and  present- 
ed it  to  a  child  in  the  room,  who  could  scarcely 
grasp  it  in  his  hand.  He  then  gave  it  a  second, 
which  filled  the  other  hand  :  and  choosing  a  third, 
remarkable  for  its  size  and  beauty,  he  presented 
that  also.  The  child,  after  many  inefiectual  at- 
tempts to  hold  the  three  apples,  dropped  the  last 
on  the  carpet,  and  burst  into  tears.  "  See  there," 
said  he,  '•  is  a  lltLh  man  with  more  riches  than 
he  can  enjoy." 

Mutius,  a  citizen  of  Rome,  was  noted  to  be  of 
so  envious  and  malevolent  a  disposition,  that  Pub- 
lius  one  day  observing  him  to  be  A^ery  sad.  said, 
"  Either  some  great  evil  is  happened  to  Mutius, 
or  some  great  good  to  another." 

A  gentleman  was  once  extolling  at  an  extra- 
vagant rate  the  virtue  of  honesty  ;  what  a  dignity 
it  imparted  to  our  nature  ;  how  it  recommended 
us  to  the  Supren>€  Being.  He  confirmed  all  by 
a  celebrated  line  from  Pope, 

"An  honost  man's  the  noblest  work  of  God." 
"  Sir."  replied  one,  "  however  excellent  the  vir- 


119 

tue  of  honesty  may  be,  I  fear  there  are  very  few 
men  in  the  world  that  really  possess  it."  '■  You 
surprise  me,"  said  the  stranger.  "  Ignorant  as  I 
am  of  your  character,  sir,  1  fancy  it  would  be 
no  difficult  matter  to  prove  even  you  a  dishonest 
man."  "  I  defy  you."  "  Will  you  give  me  leave 
then  to  ask  you  a  question  or  two,  and  promise 
not  to  be  offended  V  '•  Ask  your  questions  and 
welcome."  "  Have  you  never  met  with  an  op- 
portunity of  getting  gain  by  unfair  means  ?" 
The  gentleman  paused.  '•  I  don't  ask  whether 
you  made  use  of,  but  whether  you  have  met  with 
such  opportunity  ?  I  for  my  part  have,  and  I  be- 
lieve every  body  else  has."  "  Very  probable  I 
may."  "  How  did  you  feel  your  mind  affected 
on  such  an  occasion?  Had  you  no  secret  desire, 
not  the  /cast  inclination  to  seize  the  advantage 
which  offered  ?  Tell  me  without  any  evasion, 
and  consistently  with  the  character  you  admire." 
"  I  must  acknowledge.  I  have  not  always  been 
absolutely  free  from  every  irregular  inclinalio?i  : 
but." — '•  Hold,  sir,  none  of  your  salvos,  you  have 
confessed  enough.  If  you  had  the  desire,  though 
you  never  proceeded,  this  shows  yoii  were  dis- 
honest in  heart.  This  is  Avhat  the  Scriptures  call 
concupiscence.  It  defiles  the.  soul.  It  is  a  breach 
of  that  law  which  requireth  truth  in  the  imcard 
parts ;  and  unless  you  are  pardoned  by  the  blood 
of  Christ,  will  be  a  just  ground  of  your  condem- 
nation, when  God  shall  judge  the  secrets  of  men." 

Q,.  82.  Is  anv  man  able  perfectly  to  keep  the  com- 
mandments of  God  1 

A.  No  mere  man  since  the  fall  is  able  in  this  life  per- 
fectly to  kfi-ii  the  eomniandments  of  God,  l)Ut  dotli  daily 
break  t!ietn  in  thought,  word,  and  deed. 


120 

Dr.  C4ill  once  preaching  on  human  inability,  a 
gentleman  present  was  much  offended,  and  took 
him  to  task  for  degrading  human  nature.  "  Pray, 
sir,"  said  the  doctor,  '•  what  do  you  think  that 
man  can  contribute  to  his  conversion?"  He 
enumerated  a  variety  of  particulars.  "  And  have 
you  done  all  this?"  said  the  doctor.  "  Why,  no, 
I  cannot  say  I  have  yet ;  but  I  hope  I  shall  begin 
soon."  "  If  you  have  these  things  in  your  pow- 
er, and  have  not  done  them,  you  deserve  to  be 
doubly  damned,  and  are  but  ill  qualified  to  be  an 
advocate  for  free  will,  when  it  has  done  you  so 
little  good." 

Anne  de  Montmorency,  constable  of  France, 
having  been  mortally  wounded  at  an  engagement, 
was  exhorted  by  those  who  stood  around  him,  to 
die  like  a  good  christian,  and  with  the  same 
courag-e  which  he  had  shown  in  his  life  time-. 
To  this  he  most  nobly  replied  in  the  following 
manner  ,  "  Gentlemen,  and  fellow  soldiers  !  I 
thank  you  all  very  kindly  for  your  anxious  care 
and  concern  about  me  :  hit  the  man  who  has  been 
enabled  to  endeavor  to  live  •wt.li.,  for  four  score 
years  past,  can  never  be  to  seek  now,  how  to  die 
WELL  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  But  observe,  my 
having  been  enabled  to  endeavor  to  live  well,  is 
not  the  ground  of  my  dependence ;  no,  my  sole 
dependence  is  on  Jesus  Christ.  It  is  by  the  grace 
of  God,  through  him,  that  I  now  am  what  I  am." 

It  is  related  of  one  of  the  ancients,  that  a  man 
without  learning  came  to  him  to  be  taught  a 
psalm.  He  turned  to  the  39th.  but  when  he  had 
heard  the  first  verse  of  it,  "  /  said  I  xviU  take 
heed  to  my  ways,  that  I  sin  not  with  my  tongue ; 


121 

die  man  would  hear  no  more,  saying,  this  wa8 
enough  if  he  could  practice  it;  and  when  the  in- 
structor blamed  him.  that  lie  had  not  seen  him 
for  six  months,  he  replied,  that  he  had  not  done 
the  verse  ;  and  forty  years  after,  he  confe.^sed  he 
had  been  all  that  time  studying  it,  but  had  not 
learned  to  fulfil  it.  ■  "  If  any  man  offend  not  in. 
word,  the  sa?ne.  is  a  perfect  man,  and  able  also  to 
bridle  the  lohole  body." 

A  woman,  professing  to  be  under  deep  con- 
viction, went  to  a  minister,  crying  aloud  that  she 
was  a  sinner  ;  but  when  he  came  to  examine  her 
in  what  point,  though  he  went  over  and  explained 
all  the  ten  commandments,  she  would  not  own 
that  sne  had  broken  one  of  them. 

Ql.  83.  Are  all  transgressions  of  the  law  equally  hei- 
nous 1 

A.  Some  sins  in  themselves,  and  by  reason  of  several 
aggravations,  are  more  heinous  in  the  sight  of  God  than 
others. 

On  the  4th  of  August,  1796,  between  1 1  and 
12  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  a  violent  stoim  of 
thunder  and  lightning  aro.se  in  the  district  of 
Montpelicr.  In  a  field,  about  a  mile  from  the 
town,  a  body  of  900  French  soldiers  lay  encamped. 
At  a  small  distance  from  the  camp,  five  of  the 
soldiers  were  assisting  a  husbandman  in  gather- 
ing in  the  produce  of  the  earth,  for  hire.  ^  When 
the  storm  came  on,  the  whole  party  took  reluge 
under  a  tree,  where  the  five  soldiers  began  to 
blaspheme  God  for  interrupting  them  in  their  la- 
Dor;  and  one  of  them  in  the  madne.ss  of  his 
presumption,  took  up  his  firelock,  which  he  hap- 
pened to  have  by  him,. and  pointing  it  toward  the 
skies,  said  that  he  would  fire  a  bullet  at  him  who 

11 


122 

sent  the  storm !  Seized  with  horror  at  this  blasphe- 
mous declaration,  the  husbandman  made  all  the 
haste  he  could  to  quit  their  company ;  but  scarcely 
had  he  got  to  the  distance  of  ten  paces  from  the 
tree,  when  a  ilash  of  lightning  struck  four  of  the 
soldiers  dead,  and  wounded  the  fifth  in  such  a 
manner,  that  his  life  was  despaired  of 

When  that  truly  devoted  missionary.  Henry 
Martyn,  was  at  Shiraz,  in  Persia,  translating  the 
New  Testament  into  the  language  of  that  coun- 
try, he  seems  to  have  been  delighted  v/ith  the 
following  incident,  which  he  notices  in  his  jour- 
nal, June  28,  1811.  "The  poor  boy,"  says  he, 
"  while  writing  how  one  of  the  servants  of  the 
high  priest  struck  the  Lord  on  the  face,  st5pped, 
and  said,  sir,  did  not  his  hand  dry  up  ?" 

Bonner  was  one  of  the  most  bloody  instruments 
of  persecution,  during  the  cruel  reign  of  Mary  of 
England.  Being  confined  in  the  toiver  of  London, 
upon  the  accession  of  Q,ueen  Elizabeth,  which 
was  the  highest  punishment  inflicted  on  him,  he 
went  to  visit  some  of  the  criminals  kept  in  that 
prison,  and  wishing  to  ingratiate  them,  called 
them  his  frle/ids  and  neighbors.  Upon  this,  one  of 
them  answered,  "  Go,  you  beast,  into  hell,  and 
find  ybur  friends  there,  for  we  are  none  of  them. 
I  killed  but  one  man  upon  a  provocation,  and  do 
trul}^  repent  of  it ;  but  you  have  killed  many  holy 
persons  of  all  sorts,  without  any  provocation  from 
them,  and  are  hardened  in  your  impenitence." 
This  fact  is  related  by  Bishop  Jewel,  in  a  letter  to 
Peter  Martyr. 

d.  8i.  What  doth  every  sin  deserve  1 

A.  Every  sin  dcservcth  God's  wrath  and  curse,  hoth  in 
this  Ufe  and  that  which  is  to  come. 


123 

Walking  in  the  country,  (says  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Jay.)  I  went  into  a  barn,  where  I  found  a  thra.^her 
at  his  work;  I  addressed  him  in  the  words  of  Solo- 
mon, '•  ?.Iy  friend,  in  all  labor  there  is  profit." 
But  what  was  my  surprise,  when,  leaning  upon 
his  flail,  he  answered,  and  with  much  energy, 
"No,  sir:  that  is  the  truth,  but  (here  ir^  one  ex- 
ception to  it :  I  have  long  labored  in  the  service 
of  sin.  but  I  got  no  profit  by  my  labor."  "  Then." 
answered  I,  "you  know  somewhat  of  the  apostle's 
meaning  when  he  asked.  '  What  fruit  had  ye 
in  those  things  whereof  ye  are  now  ashamed :' " 
"  Thank  Crod,"  he  replied,  "'I  do  ;  and  I  also 
know,  that  now,  being  freed  from  sin,  and  having 
become  a  servant  unto  righteousness,  I  have  my 
fruit  unto  holiness,  and  the  end  everlasting  life." 

A  German  prince,  travelling  through  France, 
visited  the  arsenal  at  Toulon,  where  the  galleys 
are  kept.  The  commandant,  as  a  compliment 
to  his  rank,  said  he  was  welcome  to  set  any  one 
galley-.slave  at  liberty,  whom  he  .should  choose  to 
select.  The  prince,  willing  to  make  the  best  use 
of  his  privilege,  spoke  to  many  of  them  in  suc- 
cession, inquiring  why  they  were  condenmed  to 
the  galleys.  Injustice,  oppression.  fal«e  accusa- 
tion, were  the  only  causes  they  could  assign  : 
they  were  all  innocent  and  ill-treated.  At  last  he 
came  to  one,  who,  when  he  had  a^sked  the  ques- 
tion, answered  to  this  effect.  '•  Mv  lord,  I  have 
no  reason  to  complain.  I  have  been  a  very  des- 
perate wicked  wretch  ;  I  have  often  deserved  to 
be  broken  alive  upon  the  wheel.  I  account  it  a 
great  mercy  that  I  am  hero."  The  prince  fixed 
his  eyes  upon  him,  gave  him  a  gentle  blow  upon 


124 

his  head,  and  said,  "  You  wicked  wretch,  it  is  a 
pity  you  should  be  placed  among  so  many  honest 
men.  By  your  own  confession,  you  are  bad 
enough  to  corrupt  them  all :  but  you  shall  not 
stay  with  them  another  day."  Then  turning  to  the 
offrcer,  he  said,  "  This  is  the  man  sir,  whom  1 
wish  to  be  released." 

A   venerable  minister'  at  H ,  preached  a 

sermon  on  the  subject  of  eternal  punishment 
On  the  next  day,  it  was  agreed  among  some 
thoughtless  young  men,  that  one  of  them  should 
go  to  him,  and  endeavor  to  draw  him  into  dis- 
pute, with  the  design  of  making  a  jest  of  him  and 
of  his  doctrine.  The  wag  accordingly  went,  was 
introduced  into  the  minister's  study,  and  com- 
menced the  conversation,  by  saying,  '•  I  believe 
there  is  a  small  dispute  between  you  and  me,  sir, 
and  I  thought  I  would  call  this  morning,  and  try 
to  settle  it."  "Ah,"  said  the  clergyman,  "what 
is  it  V  "  Why,"  replied  the  wag,  "  you  say  that 
the  wicked  will  go  into  everlasting  punishment, 
and  T  do  not  think  that  they  will."  "  Oh,  if  that 
is  all,"  answered  the  minister,  "  there  is  no  dis- 
pute between  you  and  ?ne.  If  you  turn  to  Matt. 
XXV.  46,  you  will  find  that  the  dispute  is  between 
you  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  I  advise  you 
to  go  immediately  and  settle  it  with  him." 

Q,.  R'3.  "What  doth  God  require  of  lis,  that  we  maj 
escape  his  wrath  and  curse  due  to  us  for  sin?  "* 

A.  To  esi-ape  the  wratli  and  curse  of  God  due  to  us 
for  sin,  God  requiroth  of  us  fjiith  in  .Tcsns  Christ,  repent- 
ance unto  life,  witii  the  diliji^ent  use  of  all  the  outward 
means  whereby  Christ  communicateth  to  us  the  benefits 
of  redenij)tion. 

The  late  Rev.  Mr.  Brown  of  Haddington,  to- 
wards the  close  of  his  life,  when  his  constitution  waa 


125 

sinking  under  his  multiplied  and  unintermitted 
labors,  preached  on  the  Monday  after  the  dis- 
pensation of"  the  Lord's  supper,  at  Tranent,  a  se- 
rious and  animated  sermon  from  these  words, 
'•  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with 
you  all.  Amen."  After  the  service  was  con- 
cluded by  prayer  and  praise,  and  he  was  just 
about  to  dismiss  the  congregation,  it  occured  to 
him  that  he  had  made  no  direct  address  to  those 
who  were  destitute  of  the  grace  of  the  Lord 
Jesus ;  and  though  worn  out  by  his  former  exer- 
tions, he,  at  considerable  length,  and  with  most 
intense  earnestness,  represented  the  horrors  of 
their  situation,  and  urged  them  to  have  recourse, 
ere  the  season  of  forbearance  was  past,  to  the 
rich  and  sovereign  grace  of  the  long  despised 
Savior.  This  unlooked-for  exhortation,  appa- 
rently made  a  deep  impression,  and  was  long  re- 
membered by  the  more  serious  part  of  the  hearers, 
A  certain  man,  on  the  Malabar  coast,  had  in- 
quired of  various  devotees  and  priests,  how  he 
might  make  atonement  for  his  sins;  and  he  was 
directed  to  drive  iron  spikes,  sufficiently  blunted, 
through  his  sandals ;  and  on  these  spikes,  he  was 
directed  to  place  his  naked  feet,  and  to  walk 
about  four  hundred  and  eighty  miles  If  through 
loss  of  blood,  or  weakness  of  bodj',  he  was  obliged 
to  halt,  he  might  wait  for  healing  and  strength. 
He  undertook  the  journey,  and  while  he  halted  un- 
der a  large  shady  tree,  where  the  gospel  was  some- 
times preached,  one  of  the  missionaries  came  and 
preached  in  his  hearing  from  these  words.  '  The 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin." 
While  he  was  preaching,  the  man  tose  up.  threw 
ofl'  his  torturing  sandals,  and  cried  out    aloud, 

11* 


126 

•*  This  is  what  I  want ;"  and  he  became  a  lively 
witness,  that  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  does  cleanse 
Trom  all  sin  indeed. 

It  is  related  of  one,  who,  being  a  prisoner  in  a 
dark  dungeon,  when  the  light  was  brought  to 
him  for  a  little,  to  eat  his  diet,  would  pull  out 
his  bible,  and  read  a  chapter,  saying  that  he  could 
find  his  mouth  in  the  dark,  but  not  read  in  the 
dark. 

A  poor  boy,  about  ten  years  old,  brought  a  few 
pence,  his  savings  from  the  small  presents  which 
his  father  had  occasionally  given  him,  for  which 
he  seemed  "highly  pleased,  to  obtain  a  bible.  He 
was  asked  if  he  should  not  repent,  when  the  fruit 
should  be  ripe  of  ha  ving  given  away  all  his  money. 
"  Oh  !  no,"  he  replied  with  great  vivacity  ;  "  what 
we  6at  is  soon  gone,  but  the  word  of  God  en- 
duretli  for  ever. ' 

a.  86.  What  is  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  1 

A.  Faith  in  Jesus  Christ  is  a  saving  grace,  whereby 
we  receive  and  rest  upon  him  alone  for  Salvation,  as  he 
is  offered  to  us  in  the  Gospel. 

"  Children,"  says  Cecil,  '•  are  capable  of  very 
early  impressions.  I  imprinted  on  my  daughter 
the  idea  of  faith,  at  a  very  early  age  She  was 
playing  one  day  with  a  few  beads,  which  seemed 
wonderfully  to  delight  her.  Her  whole  soul  was 
absorbed  in  her  beads.  I  said,  "  My  dear,  you 
have  some  pretty  beads  there  ?"-p-"  Yes.  papa  ?" — 
"  And  you  seem  vastly  pleased  with  them  ? — 
Well  now,  throw  them  behind  the  fire."  The 
tears  started  into  her  eyes;  she  looked  earnestly 
at  me,  as  if  she  ought  to  have  a  reason  for  so 
cruel  a  sacrifice.  Well,  my  dear,  do  as  you  please : 
but  you  know,  I  never  told  you  to  do  any  thing 


127 

whicli  I  do  not  think  would  be  for  your  good; 
she  looked  at  me  a  few  moments  longer,  and 
then  summoning  up  all  her  fortitude,  her  breast 
heaving  with  the  effort,  she  dashed  them  into  the 
fire.  '•  Well,"  said  I,  '•  there  let  them  lie  ;  you 
shall  hear  more  about  them  another  time ;  but 
say  no  more  of  them  now."  Some  days  after,  I 
bought  her  a  box  full  of  larger  beads  and  toys  of 
the  same  kind.  When  I  returned  home,  I  opened 
the  treasure,  and  set  it  before  her  ;  she  burst  into 
tears  Avith  excessive  joy.  "  These  my  child," 
said  I,  ■'  are  yours,  because  you  believed  me  when 
I  told  you  to  throw  these  paltry  beads  behind  the 
fire;  your  obedience  has  brought  you  this  trea- 
sure. But  now,  my  dear,  remember  as  long  as 
you  live,  what  faith  is.  I  did  all  this  to  teach 
you  the  meaning  of  faith.  You  threw  your  beads 
away  when  I  bade  you,  because  you  had  faith  in 
me.  that  I  never  advised  you  but  for  your  good. 
Put  the  same  confidence  in  God ;  believe  every 
thing  that  he  says  in  his  word.  Whether  you 
understand  it  or  not,  have  faith  in  him  that  he 
means  your  good." 

Mr.  Marshall,  author  of  the  "Gospel  Mystery 
of  Sanctification."  having  been  for  several  years 
under  distress  of  mind,  consulted  Dr.  Goodwin, 
an  eminent  divine,  giving  him  an  account  of  the 
state  of  his  soul,  and  particularising  his  sins, 
which  lay  heavy  on  his  conscience.  In  reply, 
he  told  him.  he  had  forgot  to  mention  the  greatest 
sin  of  all.  the  sin  of  unbelief  in  not  believing  on 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  the  remission  of  his 
sins,  and  sanctifying  his  nature.  On  this  he  .seti 
himself  to  the  studying  and  preaching  of  Christ 
and  attained  to  eminent  holiness,  great  peace  of 


128 

conscience,'  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  Mr. 
Marshall's  dying  words  were  these,  "  The  wages 
of  sin  is  death,  but  the  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Mason,  of  New  York,  was  re 
quested  to  visit  a  lady  in  dying  circumstances  in 
that  city,  who,  together  with  her  husband,  openly 
avowed  infidel  principles,  though  they  attended 
his  ministry.  On  approaching  her  bedside,  he 
asked  if  she  felt  herself  a  sinner,  and  her  need  of 
a  Savior.  She  frankly  told  him  she  did  not, 
and  that  she  believed  the  doctrine  of  a  Mediator 
to  be  all  a  farce.  "  Then,"  said  the  Doctor.  "  I 
have  no  consolation  for  you,  not  one  word  of 
comfort.  There  is  not  a  single  passage  in  the 
Bible,  that  warrants  me  to  speak  peace  to  one 
who  rejects  the  Mediator  provided ;  you  must 
take  the  consequences  of  your  infidelity."  He 
was  on  the  point  of  leaving  the  room  when  one 
said,  "  Well,  if  you  cannot  speak  consolation  to 
her,  you  can  pray  for  her."  To  this  he  assented, 
and  kneeling  down  by  the  bedside,  prayed  for 
her  as  a  guilty  sinner  just  sinking  into  hell,  and 
then,  rising  from  his  knees,  he  left  the  house. 
To  his  great  surprise,  a  day  or  two  after,  he  re- 
ceived a  message  from  the  lady  herself  earnestly 
desiring  that  he  ivould  come  down  and  see  her, 
and  that  without  delay.  He  immediately  obeyed 
the  summons.  But  what  was  his  amazement, 
when  on  entering  the  room,  she  held  out  her 
hand  to  him.  and  said  with  a  benignant  smile, 
"  It  is  true, — all  that  you  said  on  Sabbath  is 
•true.  I  have  seen  myself  the  wretched  sinner 
you  described  me  to  be  in  prayer.  I  have  seen 
Christ  to  be  that  all-sufficient  Savior  you  said 


129 

he  wa«!,  and  God  lins  mercifully  snatched  me 
from  the  abyss  of  intidelity  in  which  I  was  sunk, 
and  placed  me  on  that  rock  of  ages.  There  1  am 
secure  ;  there  I  shall  remain ;  /  knoiv  irhoni  I 
hare  hclieced."  The  doctor's  prayer,  through 
the  divine  blessing,  fastened  on  her  mind,  she 
was  convinced  of  her  guilty  state,  and  enabled 
to  rest  wholly  on  the  Saviour,  and  after  solemnly 
charging  her  husband  to  educate  their  daughter 
in  the  fear  of  God,  she  expired  in  the  exercise  of 
joy  and  peace  in  believing. 

The  Rev.  David  Dickson,  professor  of  divinity 
in  Edinburgh,  being  asked,  when  on  his  deathbed, 
how  he  found  himself,  answered,  "  I  have  taken 
my  good  deeds  and  bad  deeds,  and  thrown  them 
together  in  a  heap,  and  fled  from  them  both  to 
Christ,  and  in  him  I  have  peace." 

Gl.  87.  What  is  repentance  unto  life.  1 

A.  Repentance  unto  life  i.s  a  saving  grace,  whereby 
a  sinner,  out  of  a  true  sense  of  his  sin,  and  apprehension 
of  the  merey  of  Ciod  in  Christ,  doth,  with  <;rief  and  hatred 
of  his  sill,  turn  iVoni  it  unto  C-iod,  with  full  purpose  of,  and 
endeavor  after,  new  obedienc<'. 

A  lady  being  visited  with  a  violent  disorder, 
was  under  the  necessity  of  applying  for  medical 
assistance.  Her  doctor,  beijig  a  gentleman  of 
great  latitude  in  Ivis  religious  sentiments,  endea- 
vored in  the  course  of  his  attendance  to  persuade 
his  patient  to  adopt  his  creed,  as  well  as  to  take 
his  medicines.  He  frequently  insisted  with  a 
considerable  degree  of  dogmatism,  that  repen- 
tance and  reformation  were  all  that  either  Ciod  or 
man  could  require  of  us;  and  that,  consequeutly 
there  Avas  no  necessity  for  an  atonement  by  the 
suflerings  of  the  Son  of  God.     As  tliis  was  a 


130 

doctrine  the  lady  did  not  believe,  she  contented 
herselt"  with  tbllowing  his  medical  prescriptions, 
without  embracing  his  creed.  On  her  recovery, 
she  forwarded  a  note  to  the  doctor,  desiring  the 
favor  of  his  company  to  tea.  when  it  suited  his 
convenience,  and  requested  him  to  majve  out  his 
bill.  In  a  short  time  he  made  his  visit,  and  the 
tea-table  being  removed,  she  addressed  him  as 
follows  :  '•  My  long  illness  has  occasioned  you 
a  number  of  journeys,  and  I  suppose,  doctor,  you 
have  procured  my  medicines  at  consi^ierable  ex- 
pense." The  doctor  acknowledged  that  '•  good 
drugs  were  not  to  be  obtained  but  at  a  very  high 
price."  Upon  which  she  replied,  "  I  am  ex- 
tremely sorry  that  I  have  put  you  to  so  much-la- 
bor and  expense,  and  also  promise,  that  on  any 
future  indisposition.  I  will  never  trouble  you 
again.  So,  you  see,  I.  both  repent  and  reform." 
The  doctor  immediately  shrugging  up  his  shoul- 
ders, exclaimed,  '■  That  will  not  do  for  me." — 
'  The  words  of  the  wise  are  as  goads.'' 

"  I  have  heard,"  says  Mr.  Daniel  AVilson,  in  a 
sermon  of  his,  "  of  a  certain  person,  whose  name 
I  couJd  mention,  who  was  tempted  to  conclude 
his  day  over,  and  himself  lost  ;  that,  therefore,  it 
was  his  best  course  to  put  an  end  to  his  life,  which 
if  continued,  would  but  serve  to  increase  his  sin, 
and  consequently  his  misery,  from  which  there 
was  no  escape  ;  and  seeing  he  must  be  in  hell,  the 
sooner  he  was  there  the  sooner  he  should  know  the 
worst;  which  was  preferable  to  his  being  worn 
away  with  the  tormenting  expectation  of  what 
was  to  come.  Under  the  influence  of  such  sug- 
gestions as  these,  he  went  to  a  river,  with  a  de- 
sign to  throw  himself  in ;  but  as  he  was  about  to 


131 

do  it,  he  seemed  to  hear  a  voice  saying  to  him, 
Who  can  tell  ?  at  least,  as  deep  an  impression 
was  made  upon  him,  as  if  these  words  had  been 
audibly  delivered.  By  this,  therelbre,  he  was 
bfoufiht  to  a  stand  ;  his  thoughts  were  arrested, 
and  thus  begin  to  work  on  the  passage  mention- 
ed, H'7i)  ca/i  Ip.ll  ?  (Jo:iah  iii.  9.)  viz.  VVhatCJod 
can  do  when  he  will  proclaim  his  grace  glorious? 
Who  can  tell — How  far  God  may  suffer  the 
tempter  to  prevail,  and  yet  after  all,  disappoint 
his  nuilice  ?  Who  can  tell — How  long  the  Spirit 
may  strive,  and  yet  return  with  renewing  effica- 
cious grace  ?  Who  can  tell  but  such  an  one  as 
I  may  find  mercy?  or  what  will  be  the  issue  of 
humble  prayer  to  heaven  for  it?  Who  can  tell — 
what  purposes  God  will  serve  in  my  recovery? 
By  such,  thoughts  as  these,  being  so  far  influen- 
ced as  to  resolve  to  try,  it  pleased  God  graciously 
to  come  in  and  enable  him,  through  all  his  doubts 
and  fears,  to  throw  himself  by  faith  on  Jesus 
Christ,  as  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost  all  that 
come  to  God  by  him,  humbly  desiring  and  ex- 
pecting mercy  for  his  sake,  to  his  own  soul.  In 
this  he  was  not  disappointed ;  but  afterwards  be- 
came an  eminent  christian  and  minister;  and 
from  his  own  experience  of  the  riches  of  grace, 
was  greatly  useful  to  the  conversion  and  comfort 
of  others. 

CI.  88.  What  are  the  outward  moans  whereby  Christ 
commuiii'-.iteth  to  un  the  benefits  ofreileinption  ? 

A.  'J'he  outward  and  ordinary  means  wl>ereby  Christ 
commimieateth  to  us  the  benefits  of  redemption,  arc  his 
ordinanees,  especially  the  word,  saeramerits,  and  prayer; 
all  which  arc  made  effectual  to  the  elect  for  salvation. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Berridge  is  said  in  one  year  to 

have  been  visited  by  a  thousand  different  persons 


132 

under  serious  impressions,  and  it  has  been  com- 
puted, that  under  his  own  and  the  joint  ministry 
of  Mr.  Hicks,  about  four  thousand  were  awaken- 
ed to  a  concern  for  their  souls  in  the  space  of 
twelve  months.  Incredible  as  this  may  appear, 
it  comes  authenticated  through  a  channel  so  res- 
pectable, that  it  would  be  illiberal  to  disbelieve  it. 

John  Skinner,  of  Houndscroft,  in  Gloucester- 
shire, was  a  strolling  fiddler,  going  from  fair  to 
fair,  and  supplying  nuisic  to  any  that  would  hire 
him.  Having  determined  to  incommode  Mr. 
Whitefield,  who  was  going  to  preach,  he  obtained 
a  standing  on  a  ladder  raised  to  a  window  near 
the  pulpit ;  he  remained  a  quiet,  if  not  an  atten- 
tive hearer  till  the  text  was  named,  when  he  in- 
tended to  begin  his  opposing  and  annoying  ex- 
ercise on  the  violin.  It  pleased  God  while  he  was 
putting  the  instrument  in  tune,  to  convey  the  word 
spoken  with  irresistible  power  to  his  soul;  his  at- 
tention being  diverted  from  his  original  design, 
and  his  purpose  broken,  that  God's  purpose  ac- 
cording to  election  miijht    stand,   he  heard  the 

O  111 

sermon  out,  when  he  became  altogether  a  chang- 
ed character. 

The  Rev.  .John  Baily,  an  eminent  divine  of  the 
17th  century,  was  so  honored  of  God  as  to  be 
made  the  instrument  of  the  conversion  of  his  own 
father,  while  he  was  yet  a  child.  His  mother  was 
a  remarkably  pious  woman,  but  his  father  a  very 
wicked  character.  The  good  instructions  and 
frequent  prayers  of  the  former,  were  so  blessed 
to  the  soul  of  little  John,  that  he  was  converted  to 
God  while  very  young;  and  having  a  remarkable 
gift  in  prayer,  his  mother  caused  him  to  pray  in 


133 

the  family.  His  father  overhearing  him  engaged 
in  this  exercise,  was  so  struck  with  remorse  and 
shame  at  finding  his  child,  then  not  above  eleven 
or  twelve  years  of  ^ge,  performing  that  duty  in 
his  house,  which  he  had  neglected  "him?elf  that  it 
brought  on  a  deep  conviction  of  his  wretched  state, 
and  proved  under  God  the  means  of  his  salvation. 
Q..  89.  How  is  the  word  made  effectual  to  salvation  1 
A.  The  spirit  of  God  maketh  the  readintr,  hut  espe- 
cially the  preaching  of  the  word,  an  eflectual  means  of 
convincinjT  and  converting  sinners,  and  of  buildino- 
them  up  in  holiness  and  comfort,  through  faith  ujito 
salvation. 

A  certain  libertine  of  a  most  abandoned  char- 
acter, happened  one  day  to  stroll  into  a  church, 
where  he  heard  the  5th  chapter  of  Genesis  read  • 
importing  that  so  long  lived  such  and  such  per- 
sons, and  yet  the  conclusion  was,  ••  they  died." 
Enos  lived  905  years,  and  he  died. — Seth  9 1 2,  and 
he  died.— Methusalah  969,  and  he  died.  The 
frequent  repetition  of  the  words  Ite  died,  notwith- 
standing the  great  length  of  years  they  had  lived, 
struck  him  so  deeply  with  the  thought  of  death 
and  eternity,  that,  through  divine  grace,  he  be- 
came a  most  exemplary  christian. 

Dr.  Staunton  was  called  the  searching  preach- 
er. Once,  when  preaching  at  Warborough.near 
Oxford,  a  man  was  so  much  affected  with  his  first 
prayer  that  he  ran  home,  and  desired  his  wif^  to 
get  ready  and  come  to  the  church,  for  there  was 
one  in  the  pulpit  who  prayed  like  an  angel.  The 
woman  hasted  away,  and  heard  the  sermon, 
which,  under  the  divine  blessing,  was  the  means 
of  her  conversion,  and  she  afterwards  proved  an 
eminent  christian. 

12 


134 

Archbishop  Leighton.  before  his  attaining;  this 
high  dignity  in  the  church,  being  asked,  "  Why 
he  did  not  preach  on  the  times,  as  the  rest  of  his 
brethren  did,"  replied,  "  That  if  they  all  preach- 
ed on  time,  might  not  one  poor  brother  be  allow- 
ed to  preach  on  efernily  .?" 

The  Rev.  Mr.  N.  one  Sabbath  morning,  open- 
ed his  Bible  to  mark  the  passage  he  had  been 
studying  throughout  the  week,  and  from  which  he 
intended  to  deliver  his  discourse  that  day ;  but  to 
his  great  surprise,  he  could  not  find  the  passage  ; 
for  neither  words  nor  text  could  he  recollect.  He 
endeavored  to  recall  the  subject  to  memory ; 
but  all  to  no  effect.  While  thinking  how  he  should 
be  confounded  before  the  congregation,  another 
passage  darted  into  his  mind  with  peculiar  energy. 
He  accordingly  preached  from  it,  and  during  the 
discourse,  he  observed  a  person,  apparently  in  a 
clerical  habit,  enter  the  place,  and  after  having 
heard  a  little,  seemed  bathed  in  tears,  and  never 
raised  his  head  through  the  whole  of  the  sermon. 
Mr.  N.  never  had  more  liberty  in  preaching.  In 
the  evening,  this  person  called  on  Mr.  N.,  and 
after  expressing  his  obligation  for  the  sermon  he 
had  heard,  he  added,  '•  Two  or  three  years  ago, 
I  heard  you  in  such  a  place,  preach  upon  a  subject, 
and  ever  since  I  have  been  under  the  spirit  of 
conviction  and  bondage.  This  daj-  I  took  my 
horse  and  rode  to  hear  you,  and  bh  ssed  be  God. 
he  has  now  given  me  to  see  him  as  my  reconciled 
God  and  Father  in  Christ  .Tesus,  and  has  also 
given  me  to  enjoy  that  liberty  wherewith  he  makes 
his  people  free."  "After  some  interesting  con- 
versation, we  both,"  says  Mr.  N.,  ••  began  to  see 
the  good  hand  of  God  in  this  matter,  and  his 


135 

good  pvovideuce  in  determining  me  in  such  a 
remarkable  manner,  to  preach  upon  a  subject  I 
had  never  before  proposed,  and  which  he  had  ac- 
companied with  such  a  powerful  efficacy.  To 
me  it  was  one  of  my  best  days,  and  one  which 
both  by  him  and  me,  will  be  remembered  through 
a  joyful  eternity." 

a.  90.  How  is  the  word  to  be  read  and  heard,  that  it 
may  become  effectual  to  salvation. 

A.  That  the  word  may  become  efTectual  to  salvation, 
we  must  attend  thereunto  with  dilirrence,  preparation, 
and  prayer;  receive  it  with  faith  and  love,  lay  it  up  in 
our  hearts,  and  practice  it  in  our  lives. 

As  Mr.  NicoH.  of  Exeter,  was  once  preaching, 
he  saw  several  of  the  aldermen  asleep,  and  there- 
upon sat  down.  Upon  his  silence,  and  the  noise 
that  presently  arose  in  the  church,  they  awoke, 
and  stood  up  with  the  rest,  upon  which  lie.  arose 
and  said,  '•  The  sermon  is  not  yet  done.,  but  now 
you  are  awake,  I  hope  ynu  will  harken  more  dili- 
gently !"  and  then  went  on. 

When  Archbishop  Cranmer's  edition  of  tho 
Bible  was  printed  in  1538,  and  fixed  to  a  desk  in 
all  parochial  churches,  the  ardor  with  which 
men  flocked  to  read  it  was  incredible.  They  who 
could,  procured  it;  and  they  who  could  not, 
crowded'to  read  it,  or  to  hear  it  read  in  churches, 
where  it  was  common  to  see  little  assemblies  of 
mechanics  meeting  together  for  that  purpo.se  after 
the  labor  of  the  day.  Many  even  learned  to  read 
in  thfir  old  age,  that  they  might  have  the  plea- 
sure of  instructing  themselves  from  the  Scrip- 
ture^5.  Mr.  Fox-  mentions  two  apprentices  who 
joined  each  his  little  stock,  and  bought  a  Bible, 
which   at  every   interval  of  leisure  they  read; 


136 

but  being  afraid  of  their  master,  wbo  was  a  zea- 
lous papisi,  tbey  kept  it  under  the  straw  of  their 
bed. 

The  pastor  of  a  congregation  in  America,  after 
many  year's  labor  among  his  people,  was  suppos- 
ed by  some  of  them  to  have  declined  much  in  his 
vigor  and  usefulness  ;  in  consequence  of  which, 
two  gentlemen  of  the  congregation  waited  upon 
him  and  exhibited  their  complaints.  The  minister 
received  them  with  much  affection,  and  assured 
them  that  he  was  equally  sensible  of  his  langor 
and  little  success,  and  that  the  cause  had  given 
him  very  great  uneasiness.  The  gentleman  wish- 
ed he  would  mention  what  he  thought  was  the 
cause.  Without  hesitation,  the  minister  replied, 
'•  The  loss  of  my  prayer-book.  '  ••  Your  prayer 
book  !"  said  one  of  the  gentlemen  with  surprise  ; 
"I  never  knew  that  you  used  one."  '•  Yes,"  re- 
plied the  minister.  '•  I  have  enjoyed  the  benefit  of 
one  for  many  years  till  lately,  and  I  attribute  my 
want  of  success  to  the  loss  of  it.  The  prayers  of 
my  people  were  my  prayer-book ;  and  it  has  oc- 
casioned arreat  jrief  to  me  that  they  have  laid  it 
aside.  Now  if  you  will  return,  and  procure  me 
the  use  of  my  prayer-book  again.  I  doubt  not  I 
shall  preach  much  better,  and  that  you  will  hear 
more  profitably."  The  gentlemen,  conscious  of 
their  neglect,  thanked  the  minister  for  the  reproof, 
and  wished  him  a  good  morning. 

Mr.  W.  a  merchant  at  Boston,  in  America,  ac- 
cording to  his  wonted  liberality,  sent  a  present  of 
chocolate,  sugar.  Sec.  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  B.  with  a 
billet  desirine  his  acceptance  of  it.  as  a  comment 
on  Gal  vi.  6.  '•  Let  him  that  is  taught  in  the  word 


137 

communicate  to  him  that  teacheth.  in  all  good 
things.  '  The  doctor,  who  was  then  contiiied  by 
sickness,  returned  his  compliments  to  Mr.  W. 
thanked  him  for  his  excellent  familr/  expositor, 
and  wished  .Mr.  \V.  to  give  him  a  practical  expo- 
sition of  Matt.  XXV.  36.  "  I  was  sick  and  ye  visited 
me." 

A  poor  woman  in  the  country  went  to  hear  a 
sermon,  wherein  among  other  evil  practices,  the 
use  of  dishonest  weights  and  measures  was  ex- 
posed. ^V'ith  this  discourse  she  was  much  pf- 
fected  The  next  day  when  tlie  minister,  accord- 
ing:  to  his  custom,  went  amonj:  his  hearers,  and 
called  upon  the  woman,  he  took  occasion  to  ask 
her  what  she  remembered  of  his  sermon.  The 
poor  woman  complained  much  of  her  bad  memo- 
ry, and  said  she  had  forgotten  almost  all  he  had 
delivered-  '•  But  one  t+iing, "  said  she.  *•  I  re- 
member. I  remembered  to  burn  my  bushel. ' — A 
doer  of  the  word  cannot  be  a  forgetful  hearer. 

Q,.  91.  How  do  the  sacraments  become  effectual  means 
of  salvation  ' 

A.  The  sacraments  become  effectual  means  of  salva- 
tion, not  from  any  virtue  in  them,  or  in  him  that  iloth 
adminiritcr  them:  but  only  by  the  blessin:i  of  Christ, 
and  the  workijig  of  his  JSpirit  in  them  that  by  faith 
receive  them. 

During  the  residence  of  Sir  Ralph  Ab'  rcrora- 
bie.  at  the  ancient  seat  of  his  family,  in  Clackman- 
nan-shire, his  humility  and  christian  deportment 
pointed  him  out  as  a  proper  person  to  Bll  the  office 
of  an  elder  in  his  parish-church.  Being  ordained 
according  to  the  rites  of  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
when  the  solemnity  was  ended,  he  addressed  the 
minister  to  the  foliowinj^  purpose :   '•  Sir,  1  have 

1> 


138 

often  been  entrusted  by  my  sovereign  with  hon- 
orable and  important  commands  in  my  profes- 
sion as  a  soldier,  and  his  majesty  has  been  pleased 
to  reward  my  services  with  distinguished  marks 
of  his  royal  approbation ;  but  to  be  the  humble 
instrument,  in  the  ofiice  of  an  elder,  of  putting 
the  tokens  of  my  Savior's  dying  love  into  the 
hands  of  one  of  the  meanest  of  his  followers,  I 
conceive  to  be  the  highest  honor  that  1  can  re- 
ceive on  this  side  of  heaven. 

Colonel  Gardiner,  in  a  letter,  mentions  the 
pleasure  with  which  he  had  attended  a  prepara- 
tion sermon  the  Saturday  before  the  dispensation 
of  the  Lord's  Supper.  He  writes,  ••  I  took  a  walk 
on  the  mountains  over  against  Ireland  ;  and  I  per- 
suade myself,  that  were  I  capable  of  giving  you 
a  description  of  what  passed  there,  you  would 
agree  that  I  had  much  better  reason  to  remem- 
ber my  God  from  the  hills  of  Port-Patrick,  than 
David  from  the  land  of  Jordan,  and  of  the  Her- 
monites,  from  the  hill  Mizar.  In  short,  I  wrest- 
led some  hours  with  the  Angel  of  the  covenant, 
and  made  supplications  to  him  with  floods  of 
tears  and  cries,  until  I  had  almost  expired  ;  but 
he  strengthened  me  so,  that  like  Jacob.  I  had 
power  with  (jod  and  prevailed.  You  will  be 
more  able  to  judge  of  this,  by  what  j*bu  have  felt 
j-ourself,  upon  the  like  occasions.  After  such  a 
preparatory  work,  I  need  not  tell  you  how  bless- 
ed the  solemn  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
proved  to  me ;   I  hope  it  was  so  to  many," 

d.  92.  What  is  a  sacrament  1 

A,  A  sacrament  is  an  holy  ordinance  instituted  by 
Christ:  wherein,  by  sensihk'  signs,  Christ,  and  the  bene- 
fits ci'  the  new  covenant,  arc  represented,  sealed,  and  ap- 
plied to  believers. 


139 

In  the  year  ]  805,  when  an  installation  of  the 
knights  of"  the  p^arter  was  approaching,  and  his 
late  majesty  was  conversing  with  some  persons 
of  high  rank  on  that  subject,  a  distinguished  no- 
bleman, said  to  the  king,  "  Sfr,  are  not  the  new 
knights,  now  to  be  installed,  obliged  to  take  the 
sacrament  before  the  ceremony  T'  His  majesty 
changing  countenance,  and  assuming  a  se\%re 
look,  replied.  "'No;  that  religious  institution  is 
not  to  be  mixed  with  our  profane  cerem,onies. 
Even  at  the  time  of  my  coronation,  I  was  very 
unwilling  to  take  the  sacrament;  but  when  they 
told  me  it  was  indispensable,  and  1  must  take  it, 
before  I  approached  the  communion  table,  I  took 
off  the  bauble  from  my  head.  The  sacrament, 
my  lord,  is  not  to  be  profaned  by  our  Gothic  in- 
stitutions." 

"  On  Sabbath  last,"  says  a  good  man,  "  we 
were  enabled  to  keep  our  New  l^estament  pass- 
over  ;  it  was  a  good  day.  a  day  of  solvation.  A* 
the  sacret?  banquet  my  hard  heart  melted,  an^ 
the  tea"rs  flowed  plentifully  from  my  ^yes;  but 
they  were  tears  of  joy;  my  heart  was  full.      On 

Monday  Mr.  B preached  from  these  words: 

"  And  one  shall  say,  I  am  the  Lord's  !"  Oh 
what  a  sermon  to  me  !  my  heart  made  the  happy 
claim,  and  cheerful  surrender  again  and  again. 
My  soul  said.  I  am  the  Lord's ;  and  with  my  hand 
I  subscribed  it,  and  I  hope  and  believe  will  never 
unsay  it. 

"  Sweet  was  the  hour  I  freedom  felt, 
.   To  c.ill  my  .Tesiis  mine, 
To  see  his  smiling  fare,  and  melt 
In  pleasures  all  divine." 

Truly  I  am  thy  servant,  I  am  thy  servant,  the 


140 

son  of  thine  handmaid,  thoii  hast  loosed  my  bonds 
Why  me,  O  Lord  ?  Why  me  1  What  am  I.  or 
what  is  my  father's  house,  that  thou  hast  brought 
me  hitherto  ?" 

Gl.  93.  Which  are  the  sacraments  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment 1 

A.  Tht  sacraments  of  the  New  Testament  are,  bap- 
tism, and  the  Lord's  supper. 

Iflr.  Matthew  Henry,  the  author  of  the  excel- 
lent commentary  on  the  Bible,  baptized  one  of 
his  children  himself.  His  friends  thought  this  not 
so  proper,  but  he  judged  it  as  fit  as  it  is  for  a 
minister  to  communicate  in  the  Lord's  supper, 
which  he  himself  administers, 

"  We  can  truly  say,"  observes  a  Moravian  mis- 
sionary, "that  among  the  very  considerable  num- 
ber of  Esquimaux  who  live  with  us,  we  know  of 
few  who  are  not  seriously  desirous  to  profit  by 
what  they  hear,  and  to  experience  and  enjoy 
themselves,  that  which  they  see  their  countrymen 
possess.  Our  communicants  give  us  pleasure ; 
for  it  is  the  wish  of  their  very  hearts  to  live  unto 
the  Lord,  and  their  conduct  affords  proofs  of  the 
sincerity  of  their  professions ;  thus  for  example, 
Esquimaux  sisters,  who  have  no  boat  of  their  own, 
venture  across  bays  some  miles  in  breadth,  sitting 
behind  their  husbands,  on  their  narrow  kajahs,  in 
order  to  be  present  at  the  holy  sacrament,  though 
at  the  peril  of  their  lives  "  What  a  lesson  is  this 
for  those  who  live  near,  and  make  any  trifling 
thing  an  excuse ! 

Melancthon  relates  a  story  of  a  tragedy  that 
was  to  be  acted,  of  the  death  and  passion  of 
Christ.  But  he  that  personated  the  Redeemer 
on  the  cross,  was  wounded  to  death  by  one  that 


141 

should  have  thrust  his  sword  into  a  bladder  of 
blood  ;  and  he,  by  his  fall,  killed  one  that  acted  a 
woman's  part,  lamenting  under  tlie  cross.  The 
brother  of  him  who  was  first  killed,  slew  the  per- 
son who  stabbed  him,  for  which  he  was  apprehend- 
ed and  executed.  So  speedily  was  their  daring 
impiety  punished. 

U,.  94    What  is  oaptism  1 

A.  Baptism  is  a  sacrarm-nt,  whrrcin  the  washing  with 
water  in  the  name  of  the  l"'ather,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  doth  signify  and  seal  our  ingrafting  into 
Christ,  and  partaicing  of  tlie  benclits  of  the  covenant  of 
grace,  and  our  engagement  to  be  the  Lord's. 

Mr.  Philip  Henry  drew  up  the  following  .short 
form  of  the  baptismal  covenant,  for  the  use  of  his 
children. 

'•  I  take  C4od,  the  Father,  to  be  my  chiefest 
good  and  highest  end. 

I  take  God;  the  Son,  to  be  my  Prince  and  Sa- 
viour. 

I  take  God,  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  be  my  sancti- 
fier,  teacher,  guide  and  comforter. 

I  take  the  word  of  God  to  be  my  rule  in  all 
my  actions. 

And  the  people  of  God  to  be  my  people  in  all 
conditions. 

I  do  likewise  devote  and  dedicate  unto  the 
Lord,  my  whole  self,  all  I  am,  all  1  have,  and  all 
•I  can  do. 

And  this  I  do  deliberately,  sincerely,  freely, 
and  for  ever." 

This  he  taught  his  children,  and  .hey  each  of 
them  solemnly  repeated  it  every  Lord  s  day  in 
the  evening,  after  they  were  catechised,  he  put- 
ting his  (unen  to  it,  and  sometimes  adding,  "So 
say,  and  so  do,  and  you  are  made  for  ever." 


142 

A  Greenlander,  who  for  mafty  years  had  com- 
munication with  the  Moravian  missionaries,  but 
could  naver  resolve  to  forsake  his  land,  where  he 
was  held  in  great  respect,  being  at  the  capelin 
fishery,  got  a  sight  of  his  derughter,  who  had  re- 
moved from  him,  and  was  baptized,  and  showepl 
his  resentment  at  it.  But  she  modestly  told  him 
the  reasons  that  induced  her  to  it ;  set  forth  the 
happiness  of  believe'rs,  concluding  with  these 
words :  "  So  happy  may  you  also  be  ;  but  if  you 
will  not,  I  cannot  stay  and  perish  with  you. 
This  softened  his  heart,  and  he  began  to  weep  , 
went  with  her  to  the  missionary,  and  declared, 
his  intention  now  was,  not  to  take  away  his 
daughter  from  the  baptized,  but  rather  go  with 
her.  He  expressed  his  resolution  to  remain  with 
the  missionaries,  and  his  wish  that  the  rest  of 
his  children  might  be  baptized.  "  As  to  myself,"' 
said  he,  "  I  dare  not  think  of  baptism,  as  I  am 
very  bad,  and  old  too,  and  incapable  of  learning 
much  more ;  but  yet  I  will  live  and  die  with 
you,  for  it  is  very  reviving  to  me,  to  hear  of  our 
Saviour." 

A  murderer  being  present  at  a  baptism  among 
the  Indians,  and  getting  upon  a  form,  to  have  a 
full  view  of  the  ceremony,  v/as  so  moved,  that  he 
crept  under  the  seats.  He  entered  afterwards 
into  conversation  with  Isaac  Glikkikan,  and 
amon;-  other  thin"s,  asked  him  whether  he* 
knew  Avhere  the  devil  lived,  "  That  I  do,"  re- 
plied Isaac,  "  he  lives  in  your  heart." 

Q,.  9-5.  To  whom  is  baptism  to  be  administered  ? 

A.  Baptism  is  not  to  be  administered  to  any  lliat  are 
out  of  the  visible  churcli,  till  they  profess  their  faitli  in 
Christ,  and  obedience  to  him;  ])ut  the  uifants  of  such  as 
ire  meiubers  of  the  visible  church  are  to  be  baptized. 


143 

As  an  instance  of  the  misapplication  and  abuse 
of  the  sacred  ordinance  of  baptism,  the  author 
of  the  PuoTESTANT,  ])ublishes  in  that  excellent 
work,  a  description  sent  him  by  a  correspondent, 
of  the  ceremony  of  the  baptism  of  a  bell,  which 
took  place  at  Naples.  A  noble  lord  was  god- 
father to  the  bell,  and  a  lady  of  quality  was  god 
mother.  Most  of  the  prayers  said  on  the  occa- 
sion, ended  with  the  following  words :  '■  That 
thou  wouldest  be  pleased  to  rinse,  purify,  sancti- 
fy, and  consecrate  these  bells  with  thy  heavenly 
benediction."  The  following  were  the  words  of 
consecration:  '■  Let  the  sign  be  consecrated  and 
sanctified  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  The  bishop  then 
turning  to  the  people,  said,  ■'  The  bell's  name  is 
Mary."  He  had  previously  demanded  of  the  god- 
father and  god  mother,  what  name  they  would 
have  put  upon  the  bell,  and  the' lady  gave  it  this 
name. 

A  gentleman  in  Vermont,  who  had  lived  to 
middle  age  without  religion  and  without  family 
prayers,  was  thus  accosted  by  his  little  son,  not 
quite  seven  years  old:  "  Papa,  yon  have  taught 
me  to  pray  morning  and  evening,  and  now  1  want 
to  knoui  if  you  eci'r  prnj/ ?"  The  father  con- 
scious of  his  failure  in  this  duty,  and  astonislied 
at  this  unex-pected  question,  v\'as  at  a  loss  for  a 
reply.  At  length  recollecting  that  he  had  some- 
times attempted  to  pray  in  secret,  replied,  ■  1  hope 
I  have  sometimes  endeavored  to  pray  that  you 
might  be  a  good  boy,  and  that  1  might  also  be 
enabled    to    do   my  duty."     The   child   replied, 

"  W^ell.  papa,  Mr.   and   Mrs  ■: pray  in  their 

families,  and  sometimes,  when  they  have  been 


144 

here,  you  have  asked  them  to  pray.  Is  it  wicke^ 
Pa  ?"  "  O  no,  my  child,  all  good  people  pray, 
and  it  is  right  they  should."  '■  Well,  papa,  if'  it  is 
right  they  should,  is  it  not  right  that  yon  should?" 
"  1  suppose  it  would  be  my  son.  if  my  heart  was 
right."  •'  Well,  papa,  v^ere  my  sister  and  I  ever 
baptized?"  '"  No,"  says  the  father,  sighing  with 
a  heavy  heart ;  "  No,  you  are  neither  of  you  bap- 
tized." "Why  not  papa?  I  have  seen  several 
little  children  baptized,  when  I  have  been  at 
meeting.  Is  it  wicked  papa,  to  baptize  children?" 
"  O  no,  my  son,  I  do  not  conceive  it  to  be  wick- 
ed, but  I  cannot  get  you  baptized."  "  Why  not, 
papa  ?"  "Because  I  do  not  belong  to  the  church." 
"  Why  do  you  not  belong  to  the  church,  papa  ? 
is  it  wicked  ?"  '•  O  no,  my  son;  nothing,  I  sup- 
pose debars  me,  but  my  own  wicked  heart.'* 
''  Well,  pa,  if  it  is  right  you  should,  why  will  you 
not  belong  to  the  church,  and  so  get  sister  and 
me  baptized  ?" 

These  solemn  inquiries  v/ere  directed  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  the  conversion  of  the  father,  who 
soon  commenced  family  prayer,  and  is  now  a  dis- 
tinguished member  of  the  church. 

a.  96.  What  is  the  Lord's  Supper  1 

A.  The  Lord's  Supper  is  a  sacrament,  wlierein,  by 
giviiiff  and  receiving  bread  and  wine,  according  to 
Christ's  appointment,  tiis  death  is  showed  forth ;  and 
the  worthy  receivers  are,  not  after  a  corporal  and  car- 
nal manner,  but  by  faith,  made  partakers  of  his  body 
and  blood,  with  all  his  benefits,  to  their  spiritual  nour- 
isliment  and  growth  in  grace. 

One  Sabbath  morning,  during  the  reign  of 
James  II.  of  England,  a  captain,  with  a  party  of 
soldiers,  went  out  to  hunt  down  the  protestants, 
as  they  termed  it ;  they  met  a  young  woman,  a 


145 

servant  maid,  running  along  the  road  early  in  the 
morning,  without  either  shoes  or  stockings.  The 
captain  of  the  band  asked  her  where  she  was  go- 
ing, so  early  in  the  morning,  and  what  was  the 
urgency  of  the  business  that  made  her  run  so  fast. 
She  told  him  that  she  had  learned  that  her  elder 
brother  was  dead,  and  she  was  going  to  receive 
her  share  of  the  riches  he  had  bequeaihed  to  her, 
as  well  as  to  her  other  brothers  and  sisters  ;  and 
she  was  afraid  she  should  be  too  late.  The  com- 
mander was  so  \v(i\\  pleased  witLher  answer,  that 
he  gave  her  halfa-crown  to  buy  a  pair  of  shoes, 
and  also  wished  her  success  ;  but  if  he  had  known 
the  real  business  she  was  going  on,  which  was  to 
a  sacrament,  he  would  most  probably  have  pre- 
vented her  from  going  that  day,  to  tho  place 
where  she  hoped  to  receive  durable  riches. 

"  Do  you  believe  in  transubstantiation?"  said 
a  protestant  to  a  papist  "  Yes,  I  do,"  was  the 
reply.  "  Why,"  said  the  other,  ■'  the  thing  is  im- 
possible." '•  And  I,"  said  the  papist.  '•  believe 
it  becmse  it  is  impossible  !" 

'•  Suppo-sing,"  says  Archbishop  Tillotson,  "  the 
doctrine  of  transubstantiation  had  been  delivered 
in  Scripture,  in  the  very  same  words  that  it  is 
decreed  in  -the  council  of  Trent,  by  what  clearer 
evidence  could  any  man  prove'to  me.  that  such 
words  were  in  the  Bible,  than  I  can  prove  to  him, 
that  bread  and  wine  after  consecration,  are  bread 
?ind  win*^  stilt?  He  could  but  appe.il  to  my  eves 
to  prove  such  words  to  be  in  the  Biblo  ;  and  with 
the  same  reason  and  justice  might  I  appeal  to 
several  of  his  senses,  to  prove  to  him.  that  the 
bread  and  wine  after  consecration,  are  bread  and 
wine  still." 

13 


146 

"  A  more  devout  communicant  at  the  table  of 
the  Lord,"  says  Dr.  Doddridge,  in  his  Life  of 
Colonel  Gardiner,  •■  has  perhaps  seldom  been  any 
where  known.  Often  have  I  had  the  pleasure  to 
see  that  manly  countenance  softened  into  all  the 
marks  of  humiliation  and  contrition  on  this  oc- 
casion ;  and  to  discern,  in  spite  of  all  his  efforts 
to  conceal  them,  streams  of  tears  flowing  down 
from  his  eyes ;  while  he  has  been  directing  them 
to  those  memorials  of  his  Redeemer's  love.  And 
some  who  have  conversed  intimately  with  him 
after  he  came  from  that  ordinance,  have  observed 
a  visible  abstraction  from  surrounding  objects, 
by  which  there  seemed  reason  to  imagine,  that  his 
soul  was  wrapped  up  in  holy  contemplation.  And 
I  particularly  remember,  that  when  we  had  once 
spent  a  great  part  of  the  following  Monday  in 
riding  together,  he  made  an  apology  to  me  for 
being  so  absent  as  he  seemed,  by  telling  me,  that 
his  heart  was  flown  upwards,  before  he  Avas  aware, 
to  him  whom  not  having  seen  he  loved  ;  and  that 
he  was  rejoicing  in  him  with  such  unspeakable 
joy,  that  he  could  not  hold  it  down  to  creature 
converse." 

CI.  97.  What  is  required  to  the  worthy  receiving  of  the 
Lord's  supper  1 

A.  It  is  required  of  them  that  would  wortlilly  partake 
of  the  Lord's  supper,  that  they  examine  themselves,  of 
their  knowlcdire  to  discern  the  Lord's  body,  of  their  faith 
to  feed  upon  him,  of  their  repentance,  love,  and  new  obe- 
dience ;  lest,  coming  unworthily,  they  eat  and  drink  judgr 
ment  to  themselves. 

The  three  questions  which  Philip  Henry  ad- 
vised people  to  put  to  themselves  in  self-examina- 
tion before  the  sacrament,  were.  What  am  1? 
What  have  I  done?  and,  What  do  I  want? 


147 

A  notorious  drunkard  and  swearer  once  com- 
ing to  partake  of  the  Lord's  supper  from  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Higginson,  the  good  man  warned  him 
to  withdraw.  On  which  the  wretch  went  away, 
venting  his  resentment,  but  filled  with  horrors 
of  conscience  ;  under  which  continuing  a  few 
days,  he  at  length  cried  out,  "  He  was  damned, 
he  was  a  dog,  and  was  going  to  the  dog?  for  ever." 
And  in  this  miserable  condition  he  died. 

In  a  speech  in  the  house  of  Lords,  in  1719, 
Lord  Lansdowne  said.  "  The  receiving  of  the 
Lord's  supper  was  never  intended  to  be  as  a  quali- 
fication for  an  office ;  but  as  an  open  declaration 
of  one's  being  and  remaining  a  sincere  member 
of  the  church  of  Christ.  Whoever  presumes  to 
receive  it  with  any  other  view,  profanes  it.  and 
may  be  said  to  seek  his  promotion  in  this  world, 
by  eating  and  drinking  his  own  damnation  in  the 
next." 

During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Andrew  CTray  at 
Glasgow,  Mr.  William  Guthrie  of  Fenwick,  on 
one  occasion,  assisted  him  at  the  dispensation  of 
the  Lord's  supper.  Some  of  Cromwell's  officers, 
then  in  Glasgow,  acting  on  the  principle  of  pro- 
miscuous admissions  to  the  Lord's  table,  were 
comingirregularly,  withouthavingacquaiiited  the 
minister,  or  giving  evidence  that  they  were  pre- 
pared for  the  observance  of  that  holv  ordinance. 
Mr.  Guthrie  addressed  them,  when  leaving  their 

f)ews  to  come  to  the  table,  with  such  gravity",  reso- 
ution,  and  zeal,  that  they  were  quite  conr;)unded, 
and  sat  down  again,  without  giving  any  further 
disturbance. 

a.  nS.  What  i's  prayer  1 

A.  Prayer  is  an  orTering  up  of  our  desires  unlo  GoJ. 


148 

for  things  agreeable  to  his  will,  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
with  confessions  of  our  sins,  and  thankful  acknowledgment 
of  his  mercies. 

Amyntor,  at  a  memorable  period  of  his  life, 
was  under  great  distress  of  conscience,  and  har- 
rassed  hj  violent  temptations.  He  made  his  case 
known  to  an  eitperienced  friend,  who  said,  "  A- 
myntor,  yoih  do  not  fray^''  Surprised  at  this,  he 
replied,  "I  pray,  if  such  a  thing  be  possible,  too 
much.  I  can  hardly  tell  how  many  times  in  the 
day  I  bow  my  knee  to  God ;  almost  to  the  omis- 
sion of  my  other  duties,  and  the  neglect  of  my 
necessary  studies."  '•  You  mistake  ray  meaning, 
dear  Amyntor ;  I  do  not  refer  you  to  the  ceremony 
of  the  knee,  but  the  devotion  of  the  heart,  which 
neglects  not  any  business,  but  intermingles  prayer 
with  all:  v/hich  in  everyplace  looks  unto  the 
Lord ;  and  on  every  occasion  lifts  up  an  indigent, 
longing  soul,  for  the  supply  of  his  grace.  This," 
added  he.  and  spoke  with  peculiar  force  ''  this  is 
prayer,  which  all  the  devils  in  hell  cannot  with- 
stand." 

A  poor  man  once  came  to  a  pious  minister,  and 
said,  '•  Mr.  Carter,  what  will  become  of  me  ?  I 
work  hard,  and  fare  hard,  and  yet  I  cannot  thrive." 
Mr.  Carter  answered,  "  Still  you  want  one 
thing;  I  will  tell  you  what  you  shall  do.  Work 
hard,  and  fare  hard,  and  p?Yi3/ hard ;  and  I  wih 
warrant  you  shall  thrive  " 

Dr.  Johnson  once  reproved  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Maxwell,  for  saying  grace  in  his  presence,  with 
out  mentioning  the  name  of  our  Lono  .Iksus 
Christ  ;  and  hoped  he  would  be  more  mindful 
in  future  of  the  apostolical  injunction.  A  sea- 
sonable hint  to  many. 


149 

A  gentleman  of"  very  considerable  fortune,  but 
a  stranger  both  to  personal  and  family  religion, 
one  evening  took  a  solitary  walk  through  part  of 
his  grounds.  He  happened  to  come  near  to  a 
mean  hut.  where  a  poor  man  lived  with  a  nume- 
rous family,  who  earned  their  bread  by  daily  la- 
bor. He  heard  a  continued  and  pretty  loud 
voice :  Not  knowing  what  it  was,  curiosity 
prompted  him  to  listen.  The  man.  who  was  pi- 
ously disposed,  happened  to  be  at  prayer  Avith  his 
family.  So  soon  as  he  could  distinguish  the 
words,  he  heard  him  giving  thanks,  with  great 
affection,  to  God  for  the  goodness  of  his  provi- 
dence, in  giving  them  food  to  eat  and  raiment  to 
put  on,  and  in  supplying  them  with  what  was  ne- 
cessary and  comfortable  in  the  present  life.  He 
was  immediately  struck  with  astonishment  and 
confusion,  and  said  to  himself,  "  Does  this  poor 
man,  who  has  nothing  but  the  meanest  fare,  and 
that  purchased  by  severe  labor,  give  thanks  to 
God  for  his  goodness  to  himself  and  family  ;  and 
I.  who  enjoy  ease  and  honor,  and  eve'ry  thing 
that  is  pleasant  and  desirable,  have  hardly  ever 
bent  my  knee,  or  made  any  acknowledgement  to 
my  Maker  and  Preserver!"  It  pleased  God  to 
rrlake  this  providential  occurrence  the  means  of 
bringing  him  to  a  real  and  l.istingsense  of  religion. 

The  mother  of  a  little  boy  about  six  years  of 
age,  sometime  ago,  went  in  search  of  a  house, 
taking  her  son  along  with  her.  Having  taken  one 
of  but  a  single  apartment,  on  their  way  hon*e  the 
boy  burst  into  tears.  His  mother  inquired  what 
was  the  matter ;  '•  Because  you  have  taken  that 
house,"  said  the  child.  '■  My  dear,"  replied  the 
mother,  "  is  not  that  a  better  house  than  the  one 

13* 


150 

which  we  at  present  occupy  ?"  '•  Yes,"  said  the 
little  boy,  sobbing,  "  but  there  is  no  closet  for 
'prayers  in  it."  How  few,  when  taking  houses, 
look  out  for  such  conveniences ! 

CI.  99.  What  rule  hath  God  given  for  our  direction  in 
prayer "? 

A.  Thte  whole  word  of  God  is  of  use  to  direct  us  in 
prayer ;  but  the  special  rule  of  direction  is  that  form  of 
prayer  which  Ciirist  taught  his  disciples,  commonly  called 
Thk  Lord's  Prayer. 

A  good  man  speaking  one  day  to  a  pious  girl 
of  prayer,  she  said,  '•  When  I  was  a  child  mv  mo- 
ther taijght  me  to  pray  ;  but  now  the  Lord  makes 
me."  Being  asked  how  she  knew  the  Lord's 
teaching  from  that  of  her  motheir,  her  reply  was : 
'•  I'he  Lord  make's  me  both  to  rejoice  and  weep  ; 
he  makes  my  heart  glad,  and  gives  me  new  wordj." 

When  Mr.  Thomas  Watson  was  in  the  pn?^>it 
on  a  lecture    day  before   the    Bartholomew  act 
took  place  ;  among  other  hearers.  '•  there  can's 
in,"  says  Dr.  Calamy,  '-that  reverend  and  learned 
prelate.   Bishop    Richardson,   who.  was    so    weU 
pleased  with  his  sermon,  but  especially  with  his 
prayer  after  it,  that  he  followed  him  home,  to  givft 
him  thanks,  and  earnestly  desired  a  copy  6f  hi.s 
prayer."      "Alas!"  said    Mr.   Watson,  'that  i^ 
what  I  cannot  give ;  for  I  do  not  use  pen  to  mr 
prayers  ;  it  was  not  a  studied  thing,  but  uttereo 
as  God  enabled  me,  frorii  the  abundance  of  vai 
heart  and  affection,  fro  re  'iiuta.^'      Upon  whic> 
the  good  bishop  went  away,  wondering  that  anj 
man  could  pray  in  that  manner  extempore. 

A  Hottentot  of  immoral  character,  being  ua 
der  deep  conviction  of  sin.  was  anxious  to  know 
how  to  pray.      He  went  to  his  master,  a  i>..:t»'l> 


151 

man,  to  consult  with  him ;  but  his  master  gave 
him  no  encouragement.  A  sense  of  his  own 
wickedness  increased,  and  he  had  no  one  near 
him  to  direct  him.  Occasionally,  however,  he 
was  admitted  tvith  the  family  at  the  time  of  pray- 
er. The  portion  of  Scriptute  which  was  one  day 
read  hy  the  master  was  the  parable  of  the  Phari- 
see and  Publican.  While  the  prayer  of  the  Pha- 
risee was  rjad,  the  poor  Hottentot  thought  within 
himself,  ••  This  is  a  good  man  ;  there  is  nothing 
for  me ;"  but  when  his  master  came  to  the  prayer 
of  the  Publican. — (ilod  be  merciful  to  me.  a  sin- 
ner— '-This  suits  me,"  he  cried;  '"now  I  know 
how  to  pray!"  With  this  prayer  he  immfidintely 
retired,  and  prayed  night  and  day  for  two  days, 
and  then  found  peace.  Full  of  joy  and  gratitiide, 
he  went  into  the  fields,  and  as  he  had  no  one  to 
whom  he  could  speak,  he  exclaimed,  ''  Yc  kills, 
yt  rocks,  ye  trees,  ye  rivers,  hear  what  God  has 
done  for  my  soul ! — he  has  been  merciful  to  me, 
a  sinner" 

'•  I  once,"  said  Mr.  Romaine,  ••  uttered  the 
Lord's  prayer  without  a  wandering  thought,  and 
it  was  the  worst  prayer  I  ever  ofl't^red.  1  was  on 
this  account,  as  proud  as  the  devil.", 

a.  100.  What  doth  the  preface  of  the  Lord's  prayer 
teach  us  ? 

A.  The  preface  of  the  Lords  prayer,  (which  is,  Oiir 
FaLhrr  whicli  art  in  Acar?/i,)  teaches  us  to  draw  neai»  to 
God  with  all  holy  reverence  and  confidence,  as  chihlrcn  to 
a  father,  able  and  ready  to  help  us ;  anil  that  wc  sliouid 
pray  with,  and   for  others. 

In  a  family  at  Shelton,  lived  Mr.  G..  a  person 
much  given  to  swearing.  A  child,  about  four 
years  of  age,  would  often  remark  to  her  mother, 
with  great  horror,  how  Mr.  G.  swore,  and  wished 


152 

to  reprove  him,  but  for  some  time  durst  not. 
One  day  she  said  to  her  mother,  '■  Does  Mr.  G. 
say  Our  Fathe.r  ?''  (a  term  she  used  to  express 
in  her  prayers.)  The  mother  replied,  she  could 
not  tell ;  she  then  said,  ''  I  will  watch,  and  if  he 
does,  I  will  tell  him  of  swearing  so."  She  did 
watch,  and  heard  him  say  his  prayers  privately 
in  bed.  Soon  after  this,  she  heard  him  swear 
bitterly;  upon  which  she  said  to  him,  ••  Did  you 
not  say  Our  Father  this  morning? — how  dare 
you  swear  !  Do  you  think  he  will  be  your  father 
if  you  swear?"  He  answered  not  a  v/ord,  but 
seemed  amazed ;  and  well  he  might.  He  did 
not  live  long  after  this,  but  was  never  heard  to 
swear  again.  "  Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and 
sucklings  God  has  ordained  strength." 

"  My  grandfather,"  says  Mr.  Orton,  "  once 
solicited  a  very  excellent,  but  modest  minister  to 
pray  in  his  family,  when  there  were  several  others 
present ;  he  desired  to  be  excused,  alleging  that 
he  had  not  thought  of  it,  and  there  were  so  many 
other  ministers  present."  My  grandfather  re- 
plied, "  Sir,  you  are  to  speak  to  your  master, 
and  not  to  them ;  and  my  Bible  tells  me,  he  is 
not  so  critical  and  censorious  as  men  are.  ' 

"  Some  impressions,"  says  a  young  man,  lately 
gone  abroad  as  a  missionary  to  the  heathen,  "  of 
the  importance  and  necessity  of  true  religion, 
were  made  upon  my  mind  at  a  very  early  period. 
The  first  particular  one  that  I  recollect  was,  I 
think,  when  1  was  about  five  years  of  age.  There 
happened  one  day  a  very  viok-nt  storm  of  thunder 
and  lightning  in  our  neighborhood;  on  which 
occasion  a  few  Christian  friends,  who  lived  near 


153 

us,  terrified  by  its  violence,  came  into  my  father's 
house.  When  under  his  roof,  in  a  moment  there 
came  a  most  vivid  (lash,  followed  by  a  dreadful 
peal  of  thunder,  which  much  alarmed  the  whole 
company,  except  my  father,  who  turning  towards 
my  mother  and  our  friends,  with  the  greatest 
composure,  repeated  these  words  of  Dr.  Watts: 

"The  God  that  rules  on  l)i^h, 

•    And  tlmnders  when  he  please; 

That  riilcs  upon  the  stormy  sky, 
And  uianairps  the  seas : 

This  awful  God  is  ours; 

Our  father  and  our  love,"  &c. 

These  words,  accompanied  with  such  circum- 
stances, sunk  deep  into  my  heart.  I  thought  how 
safe  and  li.ippv  are  those  who  have  the  gr.at  God 
for  their  father  and  friend ;  but,  being  conscious 
that  I  had  sinned  asrainst  him.  1  was  afraid  he  was 
not  mv  lather,  and  that,  instead  of  loving  n'e.  he 
was  angrv  with  me  ;  and  this,  for  some  time 
after,  coniinued  to  distress  and  grieve  my  mind." 
Pie  then  proceeds  to  say,  that  these  early  im- 
pressions were  succeeded  by  olhL'rs,  occasioned 
by  parental  admonitions,  "the  death  of  a  sister, 
the  conversation  of  pious  friends,  and  the  reading 
of  useful  l»joks,  which  terminated  in  his  conver- 
sion. 

A  wealthy  planter  ill  Viiginia.  who  had  a 
great  number  of  slaves,  found  one  of  them  read- 
ing the  Bible,  and  reproved  him  for  the  iiep^lect 
of  his  work,  saying  there  was  time  enough  on 
Sundays  fjr  reading  the  Ijiblo  ;  and  that  on  other 
days  he  ought  to  be  in  the  tobacco  houses  The 
slave  repeating  the  ofl'ence.  he  ordered  him  to  be 
whipp^-d.  Going  near  the  place  of  punishment, 
soon  after  its  infliction,  curiosity  led  him  to  listen 


154 

• 

to  a  voice  engaged  in  prayer:  and  he  heard  the 
poor  black  ini|jlore  the  Almighty  to  forgive  the 
injustice  of  his  master,  to  touch  his  heart  with  a 
sense  of  his  sin  and  to  make  him  a  good  Chris- 
tian. Struck  with  remorse,  he  made  an  imme- 
diate change  in  his  life,  which  had  been  careless 
and  dissipated,  burnt  his  profane  books  and  cards, 
liberated  all  his  slaves,  and  appears  now  to  study 
how  to  render  his  wealth  and  talents  useful  to 
others. 

Q..  101.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  first  petition  1 
A.  Jn  the  first  petition,  (which  is,  Hallowed  he  thy 
name,)  we  pray,  That  God  would  enable  us  and  others 
to  glorify  him  in  all  that  whereby  he  maketh  himself 
known ;  and  that  he  would  dispose  all  things  to  his  own 
glory.  "t 

The  great  Mr.  Boyle  had  such  a  veneration  of 
God,  and  such  a  sense  of  his  presence,  that  he 
never"  mentioned  the  name  of  God  without  a  pause 
and  a  visible  stop  in  his  discourse. 

In  the  life  of  Mr.  Wyndham,  prefixed  to  his 
speeche.5  in  parliament,  it  is  remarked,  that  no- 
thing so  highly  offended  him  as  any  careless  or  ir- 
reverent use  of  the  name  of  the  Creator.  "  I 
remember,"  says  his  biographer.  "  that,  on  read- 
ing a  letter  addressed  to  him,  in  whicHthe  words 
'  My  God,'  had  been  made  uSe  of  on  a  light  oc- 
casion, he  hastily  snatched  a  pen,  and  before  he 
could  finish  the  letter,  blotted  out  the  misplaced 
exclamation." 

When  the  Rev.  7^homas  Scott  was  speaking 
to  Mr.  Newton  on  a  change  of  situation  with  re- 
gard to  interest;  Mr.  N.  told  him  the  story  of  a 
nobleman  who  was  selected  as  ambassador  by 
his  king,  but  excused  himself,  on  the  ground  of 


loo 

his  family,  and  urgent  concern*?  at  home ;  but 
was  answered,  "  You  must  go,  only  do  you  mind 
my  concerns  heartily,  and  I  will  take  care  ot" 
yours."  "  Thus,"  saith  Mr.  Newton,  "  God,  as 
it  were,  says  to  you." 

One  day,  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  James  Durham 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Andrew  Gray,  were  to  preach 
in  the  same  town,  as  they  were  walking  together, 
Mr.  Durham  observing:  multitudes  throng  in- 
to  the  church  where  Mr.  Gray  was  to  preach, 
and  but  one  here  and  there  dropping  into  the  one 
he  was  to  preach  in,  said  to  Mr.  Gray,  "  Brother, 
I  perceive  you  are  like  to  have  a  throng  church 
to-day."  To  which  Mr  Gray  answered,  '•  Truly 
brother,  they  are  fools  to  leave  you,  and  come  to 
me."  To  which  Mr.  Durham  nobly  replied, 
'•  Not  so.  dear  brother,  for  a  minister  can  receive 
no  such  honor  and  success  in  the  ministry,  ex- 
cept it  be  given  him  from  heaven.  I  rejoice  that 
Christ  is  preached,  and  that  his  kingdom  and  in- 
terest are  getting  ground,  and  that  his  honor 
and  esteem  do  increase,  though  my  esteem  in 
people's  heart  should  decrease,  and  be  diminish- 
ed ;  for  I  am  content  to  be  any  thing,  so  that 
Christ  may  be  all  in  all." 

CI.  102.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  second  petition  1 
A.  In  the  second  petition,  (which  is,  Tltyl'hii^iiom  come,') 
we  pray,  That  Satan's  kingdom  may  be  destroyed  ;  and 
tliat  the  kincfdom  of  jirace  may  Itc  advanced,  our.><eIves  and 
others  brought  into  it,  and  kept  in  it ;  and  tiiat  the  king- 
dom of  glory  may  be  hastened. 

A  little  girl  sent  about  ten  shillings  to  a  gen- 
tleman for  the  purchase  of  some  missionarv  tracts; 
and  in  her  letter  she  says,  "  She  who  takes  this 
freedom  to  ask  so  much  of  a  stranger,  began  this 


156 

letter  witli  a  trembling  hand.  She  is  indeed 
young  in  years  and  in  knowledge  too,  and  is  not 
able  to  talk  much  with  a  gentleman  on  religion ; 
but  her  mother  has  taught  her,  almost  eleven 
years,  to  say,  '  Thy  kingdom  come ;'  and  she  be- 
lieves she  cannot  be  saying  it  sincerely  if  she  does 
nothing  to  help  it  on  among  the  heathen.  This 
thought  emboldens  her  to  write  to  a  stranger, 
almost  as  thou£;h  he  were  a  friend." 

Melancthon,  going  once  upon  some  great  ser 
vice  for  the  church  of  Christ,  and  having  many 
doubts  and  fears  about  the  success  of  his  busi 
ness,  was  greatly  relieved  by  a  company  of  poor 
women  and  children,  whom  he  found  praying  to 
gether  for  the  prosperity  of  the  church, 

'•  I  know,"  says  Mr.  Fenner,  "  an  old  man  that 
used  constantly  to  go  to  the  laborers  in  the  field 
and  talk  to  them  about  religion  as  they  were 
reaping  and  working.  He  would  go  to  men's 
shops  where  he  was  acquainted,  and  stir  them  up 
to  the  care  of  their  souls  ;  and  by  this  means, 
brought  above  forty  men  and  women  to  s?ck  for 
heaven,  who  before  had  no  more  care  that  way, 
than  if  they  had"  been  a  company  of  beasts. 
Wouldst  thou  not  be  glad  to  do  good-  Thou 
wilt  never  be  able  to  do  it,  except  thou  be  zealous. 
Paul  had  women  and  sundry  private  chrf.stiRns, 
who  labored  with  him  in  the  gospel.  This,  this 
beloved,  would  cause  religion  to  thrive  here 
among;  us.^' 

Dr.  James  Spencer,  some  days  before  his 
death,  gave  orders  that  nothing  of  black  should 
be  in  his  cofTin  ; — ''  For,"  said  he,  "  I  have  been 
a  sorrowful  man  these  many  years,  lamenting  the 


157 

deplorable  state  of  Christ's  chiircli  militant  upon 
earth ;  but  now  being  upon  the  point  of  retirng 
into  the  church  triumphant  in  heaven,  I  will  not 
have  the  least  mark  of  sorrov/  left  upon  tan  ;  but 
my  body  shall  be  wrapped  up  all  over  in  w'hite, 
for  a  testimony  that  I  die  in  expectation  of  a  bet- 
ter, and  more  glorious  state  of  Christ's  church 
to  come,  even  upon  earth. 

Q,.  103.  What  do  wc  pray  for  in  the  third  pctilion  1 
A.  In  the  third  petition,  (which  is,  Tnif  will  ,be  done 
on  carta  as  it  is  in  heaven;)  wc  pray,  that  God  by  hia 
grace  would  inalvc  us  able  and  willinir  to  know,  obey, 
and  submit  to  his  will  in  all  thuiirs,  as  angels  do  in 
heaven. 

There  was  a  good  woman,  who.  when  she  was 
ill  being  asked,  whether  she  was  willing  to  live  or 
die.  answered,  "  Which  God  pleaseth."  "But," 
said  one  standing  by,  '•  If  God  should  refer  it  to 
you,  whether  would  you  choose  ? '  '•  Truly."  said 
she,  "if  God  should  refer  it  to  me,  I  would  even 
refer  it  to  him  again." 

Some  years  ago,  a  Christian  widow  in  London 
saw,  with  great  alarm,  her  only  child  taken  dan- 
gerously ill.  As  the  illness  increased  .'^he  became 
almost  distracted,  from  a  dread  of  losing  the  child ; 
at  length  it  became  so  extremely  ill  and  so  con- 
vulsed, that  she  kneeled  down  by  the  bed,  deeply 
affected,  and  in  prayer  said,  "Now,  Lord,  thy 
will  be  done  "  From  that  hour  the  child  began 
to  recover,  till  health  was  perfectly  restored. 

Thomas  Potter,  a  plain  and  simple  man,  whom 
Dr.  Doddridge  mentions  in  his  Life  of  Colonel 
Gardiner,  that  he  was  very  deficient  in  natural 
things,  yet.  he  enjoyed  the. gift  of  a  va«t  retention, 
both  of  scripture  phrases  and  scrij)ture  places  ; 

14 


158 

and  had  an  aptness  of  applying  suitable  texts,  in 
a  wonderful,  though  h.e  pointed  them  out  in  an 
awkward  manner.  Two  young  persons,  whose 
intentions  were  to  be  married  in  a  short  time,  ap- 
plied to  him,  acquainting  him  with  their  circum- 
stances and  requesting  a  text;  he  immediately 
pointed  them  to  Psalm  xlvi.  10.  "Be  still  and 
know  that  I  am  God,"  as  altogether  suitable  to 
their  case.  The  parties  were  quite  at  a  loss  how 
to  apply  this  to  their  intentions,  and  replied,  that 
he  must  be  mistaken,  asking  for  another;  but 
Thomas  insisted  on  it ;  he  had  no  other  for  them. 
The  parties  retired;  but  Providence  soon  ex- 
plained that  scripture,  for  within  a  few  days,  by 
a  sudden  illness  one  of  the  parties  died,  and  the 
survivor  was  left  to  learn  the  needful  lesson,  of 
submission  to  His  will  who  does  as  it  pleases 
him  in  heaven  or  in  earth. 

'•  What  occasions  that  melancholy  look  ?"  said 
a  gentleman  to  one  of  his  young  favorites,  one 
morning.  He  turned  away  his  face,  to  hide  a 
tear  that  was  ready  to  start  from  his  eyes.  His 
brother  answered  for  him,  "  Mother  is  very  an- 
gry with  him,"  said  he,  "  because  he  would  not 
say  his  prayers  last  night ;  and  he  cried  all  day, 
because  a  sparrow  died  of  which  he  was  very 
fond."  The  little  mourner  hastily  turned  round, 
and  looking  at  me  exclaimed,  "  1  could  not  say 
thy  loill  he  done,  because  of  my  poor  bird."  The 
gentleman  took  him  by  the  hand,  and  pointing  to 
his  school  fellows,  "  Mark  the  observation,"  said 
he,  "  from  the  youngest  present  only  six  years 
old  ;  for  it  explains  the  nature  of  prayer,  of  which, 
perliaps,  some  of  you  are  ignorant.  Many  per- 
sons repeat  words,  who  never  prayed  in  their  lives. 


159 

My  dear  boy,  I  am  very  glad  to  find  *you  were 
afraid  to  say  to  God  what  you  could  not  say 
truly  from  your  heart ;  but  you  may  beg  of  him 
to  give  you  submission  to  his  will."  . 

Q..  104.  What  do  wc  pray  for  in  the  fourth  prtilionl 
A.  In  the  fourth  petition,  (whicli  is,  GiiK  vs  this  lUiij our 
daily  Lrcad,)  we  pray,  That  of  God's  tree  gift  we  may  re- 
ceive a  competent  portion  of  the  good  tlii^igs  of  this  hfe, 
and  enjoy  his  blessing  with  them. 

Professor  Frank  relates  that  at  one  time  all 
his  provision  was  spent ;  "  but  in  addressing  my- 
self," says  he,  "to  the  Lord,  I  found  myself  deep- 
ly affected  with  the  fourth  petition  of  the  Lord's 
prayer.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread ;  and 
my  thoughts  were  fixed  in  a  more  especial  man- 
ner, upon  the  words,  this  day,  because  on  the 
very  same  day  we  had  great  occasion  for  it. 
While  I  was  yet  praying,  a  friend  of  mine  came 
before  my  door  in  a  coach,  and  brought  the  sum 
of  400  crowns. 

A  pious  woman  used  to  say,  she  should  never 
want,  because  her  God  would  supplj'  her  every 
need.  In  a  time  of  persecution,  she  was  taken 
before  an  unjust  judge,  for  attending  a  conventi- 
cle as  they  styled  her  offence  ;  the  judge  on  see- 
ing her,  rejoiced  over  her.  and  tauntingly  said,  ''  I 
have  often  wished  to  have  you  in  my  power,  and 
now  I  shall  send  you  to  prison,  and  then  how  will 
you  be  fed?"  she  replied,  "  If  it  be  my  heavenly 
Father's  pleasure,  I  shall  be  fed  froiu  your  table." 
And  that  was  literally  the  case  ;  for  the  judge's 
wife  being  present  at  her  examination,  and  being 
greatly  struck  with  the  good  woman's  firmness, 
took  care  to  send  her  victuals  from  her  table,  so 
that  she  was  comfortably  supplied  all  the  ^v■hile 


IGO 

she  was'in  confinement ;  and  the  other  found  her 
reward,  for  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  work  on  her 
soul,  to  her  real  conversion. 

Mr,  C.  Winter  observes,  that  in  a  time  when 
he  was  destitute,  and  knew  not  where  to  look  for 
a  suppl)^,  he  received  a  letter,  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing- is  a  copy,  and  which  he  kept,  as  he  said,  to 
record  the  kind  providence  of  the  Lord.  '•  Dear 
a'nd  Rev.  Sir,  I  enclose  you  twenty  pounds,  as  I 
suppose  your  purse  may  be  low.  I  commend 
you  to  the  grace  and  love  of  Jesus;  may  he  long 
shine  upon  you,  and  bless  you.  My  dear  friend, 
your's  affectionately,  J.  Thornton." 

A  poor  servant  who  had  a  wife  and  children 
to  support,  was  once   reduced  to  such  distress, 
that,  with  the  concurrence  of  his  wife,  he  went  to 
his  master's  flock,  and   brought  home   a  lamb, 
whiph  was  killed,  and  a  part  of  it  dressed,  and  set 
on  the  table.      The  next  thing  to  be  done  before 
their  hunger  could  be  relieved,  Avas  lo  ask  a  bless- 
ing on  the  food.     The  poor  man's  heart  was  fill- 
ed with  anguish.      How  could  he  ask  a  blessing 
from  God  on  the  fruit  of  unrighteousness  ?  tears 
gushed  from  his  eyes.      He  rose  ;    he  went  di- 
rectl}"^  to  his  master,  told  him  what  he  had  done 
and  implored  his  forgiveness.      His  master  knew 
him  to  be  not  only  a  sober  and  industrious  but  an 
honest  and  well-disposed  man,  and.  that  nothing 
but  the  greatest  straits,  could  have  tempted  him 
to  be  guilty  of  what  he  had  done.      After  a  suita 
Tile  admonition,  he  assured  him  of  his  hearlyfor- 
giveness,  told  him  that  he  was  welcome  to  what 
he  had  got,  and  that  he  should  not  be  disappoint 
ed  in  any  future  application  which  he  might  find 


161 

it  necessary  to  make  to  him,  for  the  supply  of  his 
wants.  The  servant  returned  home  with  joy  ; 
and  with  his  family,  he  ate  that  food  which  was 
now  his  own,  with  gladness,  and  praised  the 
Lord. 

d.  105.  "What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  fifth  petition  1 
A.  In  the  fifth  petition,  (which  is,  And  furgive  usmir 
debts,  as  wc  forgive  our  debtors,)  we"  pray,  That  God,  for 
Christ's  sake,  would  froel}'  pardon  all  our  sins;  which  we 
are  the  rather  encouraged  to  ask,  because  by  his  grace  we 
are  enabled  from  the  heart  to  forgive  others. 

When  Tetzel  was  at  Leipsic.  and  had  collected 
a  great  deal  of  money  from  all  ranks  of  people,  a 
nooleman,  who  suspected  the  imposition,  put  the 
question  to  him:  "  Can  you  grant  absolution  for 
a  sin  which  a  man  shall  intend  to  commit  in  fu- 
ture ?"  '•  Yes,"  replied  the  frontless  commission- 
er, "  but  on  condition  that  the  proper  sum  of 
money  be  actually  paid  down."  The  nobleman 
instantly  produced  the  sum  demanded  ;  and  in 
return,  received  a  diploma,  sealed  and  signed  by 
Tetzel,  absolving  him  from  the  unexplained  crime, 
which  he  secretly  intended  to  commit.  Not  long 
after,  when  Tetzel  was  about  to  leave  Leipsic,  the 
nobleman  made  inquiry  respecting  the  road  he 
would  probably  travel,  waited  for  him  in  ambush 
at  a  convenient  place,  attacked  and  robbed  him ; 
then  beat  him  soundly  with  a  stick,  sent  him  back 
again  to  Leipsic  with  his  chest  emptv.  and  at 
parting  said,  '  This  is  the  fault  I  intended  to  com- 
mit, and  for  which  I  have  your  absolution." 

A  gentleman  once  went  to  Sir  Eardley  Wilmot, 
(late  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  court  of  common 
pleas.)  under  the  impression  of  great  wrath  and 
indignation,  at  a  real  injury  he  had  received  from 

14* 


162 

a  person  high  in  the  political  world,  and  which 
he  was  meditating  how  to  resent  in  the  most  ef- 
fectual manner.  After  relating  the  particulars, 
he  asked  Sir  Eardley,  if  he  did  not  think  it  would 
be  manly  to  resent  it?  "  Yes."  said  the  Knight, 
'"  it  will  be  mayily  to  resent  it,  but  it  will  be  God- 
like to  forgive  it."  The  gentleman  declared  that 
this  had  such  an  instantaneous  effect  upon  him, 
that  he  came  away  quite  a  different  man,  and  in 
a  very  different  temper  from  that  in  which  he 
went. 

In  a  school  at  Youghall,  in  the  master's  acci- 
dental absence,  one  boy  having  been  provoked, 
struck  another.  On  hearing  the  complaint,  the 
master  determined  to  punish  the  culprit,  when  the 
aggrieved  boy  entreated  pardon  for  the  offender. 
On  being  asked,  why  he  would  interpose  to  pre- 
vent a  just  example  1  he  said,  '•  I  was  reading 
the  New  Testament  lately,  that  .Tesus  Christ  said, 
we  should  forgive  our  enemies,  and  I  w*ish  to  for- 
give him.  and  I  beg  he  may  not  be  punished  for 
my  sake."  This  Christian  plea  was  too  powerful 
to  be  resisted.  The  offender  was  pardoned,  and 
the  parent  of  the  poor  boy  was  highly  pleaSed  at 
the  circumstance. 

A  poor  little  African  negro,  only  ten  years  of 
age,  went  to  hear  the  preaching  of  one  of  the 
missionaries,  and  became  through  his  instrumen- 
tality, a  convert  to  the  Christian  religion.  His 
master  (an  inveterate  enemy  to  missions  )  hear- 
ing of  it,  commanded  him  never  to  go  again,  and 
declared  he  would  have  him  whipped  to  death  if 
he  did.  The  poor  little  boy  in  consequence  of  this 
mandate,  was  very  miserable.     He  could  scarcely 


163 

refrain  from  going,  yet  he  knew  his  deatli  was  ine- 
vitable ir  he  did.  In  tliis  critical  situation,  he 
sought  direction  and  asSsistance  at  the  throne  of 
grace,  and  after  having  done  this,  he  felt  convinced 
that  it  was  still  his  duty  to  attend,  but  to  be  care- 
ful that  he  should  never  interfere  with  his  mas- 
ter's business,  and,  for  the  rest,  to  leave  himself 
in  the  hands  of  Ciod.  He  therefore  went,  and  on 
his  return,  was  suinmoned  to  his  master's  presence ; 
and  after  much  violent  and  abusive  language,  re- 
ceived tive-and-tvventyla.^hes.and  then  in  a  sarcastic 
tone  of  blasphemous  ridicule,  his  master  exclaim- 
ed, "  What  can  Jesus  Christ  do  for  you  now?" 
"  He  enables  me  to  bear  it  patiently."  said  the 
poor  child.  "  Give  him  five-and-twenty  lashes 
more,"  said  the  inhuman  wretch.  He  was  obey- 
ed. "And  what  can  .Tesus  Christ  do  for  you 
now  ?"  asked  the  unfeelihg  monster.  "  He  helps 
me  to  look  forward  to  a  future  reward,"  replied 
the  little  sufferer.  "  Give  him  five-and-twenty 
lashes  more."  vociferated  the  cruel  tyrant,  in  a 
transport  of  rage.  They  complied  ;  and  while 
he  listened  with  savage  delight  to  the  extorted 
groans  of  his  dying  victim,  he  again  demanded, 
"  what  can  Jesus  Christ  do  for  you  now?"  The 
youthful  piartyr.  with  the  last  effort  of  expiring 
nature,  meekly  answered,  "  He  enables  me  lo  pray 
for  yow,  iiiassa."   And  instantly  breathed  his  last! 

Q..  lOG.  What  do  we  pray  for  in  the  sixth  petition  1 
A.  In  the  sixth  petitiort,  (which  is,  Am/  UaJ  us  vol  into 
temp'nfion,  but  ddivcr  vs   from  rvil,)  we  pray  that    God 
would  either  keep  us  from  beinr;  tempted  to  sin,  or  support 
and  deliver  us  when  wo  are  tempted. 

Dr   Pendleton  and   Mr.  Saunders  meeting  to- 
gether in  the  beginning  of  Queen  Mary's  reign, 


164 

and  speaking  of  the  persecution  which  would 
likely  arise  ;  with  regard  to  which  Mr.  Saunders 
discovered  much  weakness  and  fear  ;  Pendleton 
on  the  other  hand,  boasted  of  his  resolution,  that 
he  would  endure  the  severest  treatment,  rathei 
than  forsake  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  truth  which 
he  had  professed.  Yet  not  long  after,  poor  fee 
ble,  faint-hearted  Saunders,  through  the  goodness 
of  Giod,  sealed  the  truth  with  his  blood,  while 
proud  Pendleton  played  the  apostate,  and  turned 
papist. 

A  plain  countryman,  who  was  effectually  call 
ed  by  divine  grace  under  a  sermon  from  Zech. 
iii.  2,  was  some  time  afterwards  accosted  by  a 
quondam  companion  of  his  drunken  fits,  and 
strongly  solicited  to  accompany  him  to  the  ale- 
house. But  the  good  man  strongly  resisted  all 
his  arguments,  saying,  "  I  am  a  brand  plucked 
out  of  the  fire."  His  old  companion  not  under- 
standing this,  he  explained  it  thus  :  "  Look  ye," 
said  he,  "  there  is  a  great  difference  between  a 
brand  and  a  green  stick  ;  if  a  spark  flies  upon  a 
brand  that  has  been  partly  burned,  it  will  soon 
catch  fire  again  ;  but  it  is  not  so  with  a  green 
stick.  I  tell  you  I  am  that  brand  plucked  out  of 
the  fire,  and  I  dare  not  venture  into  the  way  of 
temptation  for  fear  of  being  set  on  fire." 

The  following  anecdote  may  perhaps  illustrate 
the  promise,  '•  as  thy  days  so  shall  thy  strength  be." 
Under  the  reign  of  Paganism,  a  Christian,  not- 
withstanding her  pregnancy,  was  condemned  to 
die  in  her  profession.  The  day  before  her  -exe- 
cution, she  fell  into  labor,  and  crying  out  in  hex 
pangs,  the  jailer  insulted  her,  saying,  ■'  If  you 
make  a  noise  to-day,  how  will  you  endure  a  vio- 


165 

lent  3eath  to-morrow?"  to  this  she  replied,  "  To 
day  I  suffer  what  is  ordinary,  and  1  have  only  or- 
dinary assistance  ;  to  morrow,  1  am  to  sulFer  what 
is  more  than  ordinary,  and  shall  hope  for  more 
than  ordinary  assistance."  Oh  !  woman  great 
was  thy  faith. 

One  night  Mr.  Newton  found  a  bill  put  up  at 
St.  Mary  VVoolnoth's,  upon  which  he  comment- 
ed a  great  deal  when  he  came  to  preach.  The 
bill  ivas  t»  this  effect,  "  A  young  man.  having 
come  to  the  possession  of  a  very  considerable  for- 
tune, desires  the  prayers  of  the  congregation, 
that  he  maybe  preserved  from  the  snares  to  Avhich 
it  exposes  him  " — '•  Now,  if  the  man,"  said  Mr. 
Newton,  "  had  lost  a  fortune,  the  world  would 
not  have  wondered  to  have  seen  him  put  up  a 
bill,  but  this  man  has  been  better  taught.  ' 

CI.  107.  What  does  the  conclusion  of  the  Lord's  prayer 
teach  usl 

A.  1'he  conclusion  of  the  Lord's  prayer,  (which  ia 
For  thine  is  Ht£  kiii<f<lom,  and  the  power,  and  !he  <rIonj 
for  ever.  Amen.')  teaches  us  to,  to  take  our  encourairement 
in  prayer  from  God  only,  and  in  our  prayers  to  praise 
him,  ascribing  kininloin,  power,  and  (jiory  to  him.  .And 
in  testimony  of  our  desire,  and  assurance  to  be  heard, 
we  say,  Amen 

Alexanderthe  Great  had  a  famous,  but  indigent 
philosopher  in  his  court.  This  adept  in  science 
was  once  particularly  straitened  in  his  circum- 
stances. To  whom  alone  should  he  apply,  but 
to  his  patron,  the  conqueror  of  the  world  ?  I  lis 
request  was  no  sooner  made  than  granted.  Alex- 
ander gave  him  a  commission  to  receive  of  his 
treasurer  whatever  he  wanted.  He  iminediiitely 
demanded,  in  his  sovereign's  name,  ten  thousand 
pounds.     The  treasurer,  surprised  at  Ifeo  large  a 


166 

demand,  refused  to  comply ;  but  waked  upon  the 
king,  and  represented  to  him  the  affair,  adding 
withal,  how  unreasonable  he  thought  the  petition, 
and  how  exorbitant  the  sum.  Alexander  heard 
him  with  patience  ;  but  as  soon  as  he  had  ended 
his  remonstrance,  replied,  "  Let  the  money  be 
instantly  paid.  I  am  delighted  with  this  philoso- 
pher's way  of  thinking ;  he  has  done  me  a  singu- 
lar honor;  by  the  largeness  of  his  request,  he 
shows  the  high  idea  he  has  conceived,  both  of  my 
superior  wealth  and  my  royal  magtiificence." 
Thus  let  us  honor  what  the  inspired  penman 
styles  the  mart^ellous  loving  kindness  of  Jeho- 
vah. "  He  that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  de- 
livered him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with- 
him  also  freely  give  us  all  things? ' 

Mr.  John  Janeway,  when  on  his  death-bed, 
was  employed  chiefly  in  praise:  "  O,"  said  he  to 
his  friends,  "  help  me  to  praise  God ;  I  have  now 
nothing  else  to  do.  I  have  done  with  prayer  and 
all  other  ordinances.  Bofore  a  few  hours  are 
over,  I  shall  be  in  eternity,  singing  the  song  of 
Moses  and  the  Lamb  I  shall  presently  stand 
upon  mount  Zion,  with  an  innumerable  compa- 
ny of  angels,  and  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect, 
and  with  Jesus  the  mediator  of  the  new  covenant. 
I  shall  hear  the  voice  of  much  people,  and  with 
them,  shall  cry,  Hallelujah,  glory,  salvation,  ho- 
nor, and  power  unto  the  Lord  our  God.  And 
again  we  shall  say.  Hallelujah  !"  In  this  tri- 
umphant manner  he  expired,  about  the  twenty- 
second  year  of  his  age. 

A  lady,  who  had  just  sat  down  to  breakfast, 
had  a  strong  impression  upon  her  mind  that  she 


167 

must  instantly  carry  a  loaf  of  bread  to  a  poor  man 
who  lived  about  half  a  mile  from  her  house,  by 
the  side  of  a  common.  Her  husband  wished  her 
either  to  postpone  taking  the  loaf  of  bread  till  af- 
ter breakfast,  or  to  send  it  by  her  servant ;  but 
she  chose  to  take  it  herself  instantly.  As  she 
approached  the  hut,  she  heard  the  sound  of  a  hu- 
man voice.  Willing  to  hear  what  it  was.  she  stepped 
softly,  unperceived  to  the  door.  She  now  heard 
the  poor  man  praying,  and,  among  other  things, 
he  said,  "  O  Lord,  help  me ;  Lord,  thou  wilt  help 
me;  thy  providence  cannot  fail:  and  although 
my  wife,  self,  and  children,  have  no  bread  to  eat, 
and  it  is  now  a  whole  day  since  we  had  any,  I 
know  thou  wilt  supply  me,  though  thou  shouldest 
again  rain  down  manna  from  heaven."  'l"he  lady 
could  wait  no  longer:  she  opened  the  door. 
"  Yes,"  she  replied :  "  God  has  sent  you  relief. 
Take  this  loaf  and  oe  encouraged  to  cast  your 
care  upon  Him  who  careth  for  you ;  and  when 
you  3ver  want  a  loaf  of  bread,  come  to  my  house." 


MISCELLANEOUS 


ANECDOTES 


REMARKABLE    CONVERSION. 

The  Lord  has  various  means  to  bring  about 
his  own  gracious  purposes ;  and  sometimes  con- 
descends to  make  use  of  incidents  apparently 
trifling  to  accomplish  his  most  important  designs. 
The  truth  of  this  remark  may  be  exemplified  in 
the  following  fact : — A  young  gentleman  of  high 
connexions,  and  great  respectability,  was  induced 
by  gay  acquaintance  to  accompany  them  to  a  ball. 
Arrived  at  the  scene  of  dissipation,  the  festive 
company  proceeded  to  their  amusement.  The 
music  struck  up,  and  he  among  the  rest  was  high- 
ly delighted  with  the  diversion.  In  the  midst  of 
their  enjoyment,  as  though  a  messenger  had  been 
sent  immediately  from  heaven, — the  clock  struck 
one.  That  striking  passage  of  Dr.  Young's  in- 
stantly rushed  upon  liis  mind: 

"  The  bell  strikes  one.     We  take  no  note  of  time 

But  from  its  loss.     To  give  it  then  a  tongue 

Is  wise  in  man.     A§  if  an  angel  spoke, 

I  feci  the  solemn  sound.     If  heard  aright, 

It  is  the  knell  of  my  departed  hours; 

Where  arc  they  1  with  the  years  beyond  the  flood: 

It  is  the  signal  that  demands  dispatch: 

How  much  is  to  be  done !     My  hopes  and  fears 

Start  up  alann'd,  and  o'er  lite's  narrow  verge 

Look  down — On  what  'I  a  fathomless  abyss  ; 

A  dread  eternity ! 


169 

Conviction  seized  the  youth.  Alarmed  and 
terrified,  he  left  the  dissipated  throng,  and  retired 
to  his  closet.  The  result  was,  a  savint^  change, 
and  he  is  now  a  Christian  indeed,  in  whom  is  no 
cheri.shed  guile. 

MERCIES     ASCRIBED     TO     THE     PROPER    SOURCE 
BY  A   LITTLE   BOY   UNDER   SIX  YEARS   OF  AGE. 

A  little  gij:l  being  indisposed,  complained  of 
feeling  pain.  Her  mother  said  to  her.  "  I  will 
give  you  some  medicine,  my  love,  which  will  make 
you  quite  well  to-morrow."  Her  brother,  who 
was  standing  by.  replied,  "  Oh  no.  mamma,  medi- 
cine alone  will  not  make  her  well :  when  I  was 
ill,  I  took  a  great  deal,  but  it  did  me  no  good 
until  I  prayed  to  God  to  make  me  well;  and  then 
I  was  better  the  very  next  morning ;  when  I 
thanked  God  for  making  me  better;  and  now  I 
am  quite  well,  and  so  will  Ann  if  she  pray  to  God." 

INSUFFICIENCY    OF    WORLDLY    AMUSEMENTS. 

A  French  physician  was  once  consulted  by  a 
person  who  was  subject  to  most  gloomy  fits  of 
melancholy.  He  advised  his  patient  to  mix  in 
scenes  of  gaiety,  and  particularly  to  frequent  the 
Italian  theatre;  and  added,  "  If  Carline  does  not 
expel  your  gloomy  complaint,  your  case  must  be 
desperate  indeed  '  The  reply  of  the  patient  is 
worthy  the  attention  of  all  those  who  frequent  such 
places  in  search  of  happiness,  as  it  shows  the  unfit- 
nessandinsufficiencyofthe.seamusements.  '-Alas! 
sir,  /  am  Carline  ;  and  while  I  divert  Paris  with 
mirth,  and  make  them  almost  die  with  laughttr,  I 
myself  am  dying  with  melancholy  and  chagrin." 

ZEAL    FOR    THE    SCRIPTURES. 

There  was  a  peasant  in  the  county  of  Cork, 
15 


170 

who  under'stood  that  a  gentleman  had  a  copy  of 
the  Scriptures  in  the  Irish  language,  and  beerged 
to  see  it.  He  asked  whether  he  might  borrow  the 
New  Testament  in  his  own  tongue.  The  gentle- 
man said,  he  could  not  obtain  another  copy,  and 
he  was  afraid  to  trust  it  to  take  a  copy  in  writing. 
"Where  will  you  get  the  paper?"  asked  the 
gentleman.  "  I  will  bviy  it."  ''  And  the  pens 
and  ink  ?"  "  I  will  buy  them."  "  Where  will  you 
find  a  place  ?"  "  If  your  honor  will  allow  me 
your  hall,  I  would  come  after  I  had  done  my 
work  in  the  day,  and  take  a  copy  by  portions  of 
time  in  the  evening"  The  gentleman  was  so 
struck  with  such  zeal,  that  he  gave  him  the  use  of 
the  hall  and  light,  by  which  to  take  a  copy.  The 
man  was  firm  to  his  purpose,  finished  the  work, 
and  produced  a  copy  of  the  New  Testament  in 
writing  by  his  own  hand.  A  printed  copy  has 
been  given  him  in  exchange,  and  the  written  one 
is  placed  iu  the  hands  of  the  Noble  President  of 
the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  as  a 
monument  of  the  desire  of  the  Irish  to  know  the 
Scriptures. 

PROVIDENTIAL    INTERPOSITION. 

Mr.  John  Craig,  a  distinguished  minister,  and 
colleague  of  Knox,  having  gone  to  reside  in  Bo- 
logna, in  a  convent  of  Dominicians,  found  a  copy 
of  Calvin's  Institutions,  which  God  made  the 
means  of  his  conversion  to  the  reformed  faith. 
He  was  seized  as  a  heretic  sopn  after,  and  car- 
ried to  Rome,  where  he  was  condemned  to  be 
burnt;  but  on  the  evening  preceding  the  day  of 
execution,  the  reigning  pontiff  died,  and  accord- 
ing to  custom,  the  doors  of  all  the  prisons  were- 


171 

thrown   open.     All  others    were   released ;    but 
heretics,  after  being  permitted  to  go  outside  the 
walls,  were    reconducted  to    their    cells       That 
night,  however,  a  tumult  was  excited,  and  Craig 
and  his  companions  escaped.     They  had  entered 
a  small  iiui  at  some  distance  from  Rome,  when 
they  were  overtaken  by  a  party  of  soldiers  sent  to 
apprehend    them      On  entering   the  house,  the 
captain  looked  Craig  stedfastly  in  the  face,  and 
asked  him  if  he  remembered  having  once  relieved 
a  poor  wounded  soldier  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Bologna :   Craig  had  forgotten  it,  "  l^ut,"  said  the 
captain,  '"I  am  the  man;  I  shall  requite  your 
kindness:   you  are  at  liberty  ;  your  companions  I 
must  take  with  me  ;  but  for  your  sake  I  shall  treat 
them  with  all  possible  lenity."      He  gave  him  all 
the  money  he  had.  and  Craig  escaped.     Rut  his 
money  soon  failed  him;  yet  God  who  feedeth  the 
ravens  did  hot.      Lying  at  the  side  of  a  wood,  full 
of  gloomy  apprehensions,  a  dog  came  running 
up  to  him  with  a  purse  in  his  teeth.      Suspecting 
some  evil,  he  attempted  to  drive  the  animal  away 
but  in  vain.      He  at  length  took  the  purse,  and 
found  in  it  a  sum  of  money  which  carried  him  to 
Vienna. 

WARNING    TO    SABBATII-BREAKERS. 

A  horse-dealer  in  London,  of  considerable  pro- 
perty, had  for  some  time  past  made  it  his  constant 
practice  to  nick  his  horses  on  the  Sabbnth.  One 
Lord's  day  morning  he  was  employed  as  usual ; 
his  horse  was  bound  with  cords,  the  fatanmife 
applied,  and  whether  it  went  in  too  deep  or  not, 
is  unknown  ;  but  the  hor.se  gave  a  violent  jirk,  by 
which  he  loosened,  himself  from  his  bandage,  and 


172 

gave  His  owner  a  blow  on  the  stomach,  which  oc- 
casioned instant  death.  Let  those  who  profane 
the  Sabbath,  remember,  that  God  is  jealous  for 
the  honor  of  his  holy  day. 

THE    BIBLE    SXIPERSEDED. 

An  English  officer,  who  was  lately  at  Valen- 
ciennes, states  the  following  fact,  which  came  un- 
der his  own  observation.  A  number  of  Bibles  in 
French  had  been  sent  from  Ene;land  to  the  above 
city,  for  sale  or  distributiou.  Many  of  the  people 
received  them  with  gratitude,  and  read  them  with 
avidity ;  but  the  priest  getting  information  of  the 
matter,  ordered  all  the  Bibles  to  be  returned.  The 
English  officer,  who  was  acquainted  with  him, 
asked  the  reason  of  this :  to  which  he  gave  the 
truly  Popish  reply  : — "  /  teach  the  people  every 
thing  that  is  necessary  for  them  to  know!" 

THE    LOSS    OF    HOPE    THE    LOSS    OF    ALL. 

The  brother  of  the  late  Dr.  F.  was  on  a  voyage. 
A  violent  storm  drove  the  ship  near  a  dangerous 
coast.  The  danger  every  moment  increasing, 
led  Mr.  F.  at  length  to  ask  the  captain,  if  there 
was  a  possibility  of  being  saved  ?  The  captain 
replied  in  the  negative.  Upon  this  Mr.  F.  re- 
tired to  his  cabin,  lay  down  on  his  bed,  and  re- 
signed himself  to  a  watery  grave.  The  captain 
and  crew  remained  upon  deck.  In  a  moment,  an 
unexpected  surge,  with  an  immense  swell  of  the 
sea,  carried  the  ship  over  the  reef  of  rocks,  and 
left  her,  as  the  sea  retired,  upon  a  sand-bank.  In- 
stantly the  captain  and  crew  jumped  upon  the 
sand,  and  before  the  return  of  another  wave,  got 
upon  an  eminence,  and  thus  providently  escaped 
death,     M.  F.  was  the  only  man  lost.     The  waves 


173 

soon   beat   the    ship  to    pieces.     Had    he    been 
watching,  his  life  would  have  been  saved. 

NEW    SHOES. 

A  very  gratifying  instance  of  generosity  was 
lately  witnessed  among  the  boys  of  a  Sabbath 
School.  One  of  their  number  having  been  ab- 
sent for  several  Sabbaths,  the  boys  were  inform- 
ed, that  the  cause  was  his  having  no  slioes.  and 
his  parents  being  too  poor  to  buy  him  any.  The 
next  Sabbath,  they  freely  contributed  a  sufficient 
sum  to  enable  their  school-fellow  to  appear  among 
them,  at  their  next  meeting  in  school,  with  new 
shoes. 

HUMAN    MERIT. 

The  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  upon  a  monu- 
ment in  one  of  the  Roman  Catholic  chapels,  in 
the  city  of  Cork: — ''J.  II.  S.  Sacred  to  the  me- 
mory of  the  benevolent  Edward  Alolloy.  the  friend 
of  humanity,  and  father  of  the  poor;  he  employ- 
ed the  wealth  of  this  world,  only  to  procure  the 
riches  of  the  next ;  and  leaving  a  balance  of 
merit  on  the  book  of  life,  he  made  heaven  debtor 
to  mercy.  He  died  17th  October.  1818,  aged 
90.  R.  J.  P."  How  daring  the  impiety  of  mak- 
ing the  Creator  debtor  to  his  creature  ! 

NOTHING    TO    DO. 

A  tradesman  who  had  acquired  a  large  fortune 
in  London,  retired  from  business,  and  went  to 
reside  in  Worcester.  His  mind,  without  its  usual 
occupation,  and  having  nothing  else  to  supply  its 
place,  preyed  upon  itself  so  that  existenre  became 
a  torment  to  him.  At  last  he  was  sei/ed  with  (ho 
stone;  and  a  friend,  who  found  him  in  one  of  its 

15* 


174 

severest  attacks,  having  expressed  his  concern, — 
"  No,  no,  sir,"  said  he,  "  do  not  pity  me,  I  beseech 
you,  for  what  1  now  feel  is  ease  compared  with 
the  torture  of  mind  from  which  it  relieves  me." 

THE    BIT    OF    STRING. 

A  poor  lame  boy  came  one  day  to  a  gentleman 
who  was  very  kind  to  him,  and  asked  for  a  piece 
of  string,  saying,  "  Do  let  it  be  a  good  long  bit, 
sir."  The  gentleman  inquiring  what  it  was  for, 
the  boy  seemed  unwilling  to  tell ;  but  at  last  said 
it  was  to  make  a  cabbage  net,  which  he  could 
sell  for  three-pence,  as  he  wished  to  send  the  mo- 
ney to  help  to  pay  for  printing  Bibles  for  the 
poor  heathen:  '-And  you  know,  sir,"  added  he. 
"  It  may  pay  for  the  printing  one  side  of  a  leaf  of 
one  of  them."  The  gentleman  gave  him  a  large 
piece  of  string,  and  told  him  to  bring  the  net  when 
it  was  finished.  The  boy  brought  it,  and  the 
gentlejnan  said,  "  you  are  a  good  boy ;  there  is 
three-pence  for  you  to  send  for  the  Bibles,  and 
three-pence  for  yourself"  "  No,  sir,"  exclaimed 
the  boy,  "  do  send  it  all,  perhaps  it  will  pay  for 
printing  both  sides." 

THE    WAY    TO    THE    PIT. 

A  young  man,  on  reaching  the  door  of  a  thea- 
tre, overheard  one  of  the  door-keepers  calling  out, 
"this  is  the  way  to  the  ;;i/."  Having  had  some 
instruction  in  the  word  of  God  in  early  Hie,  he  in- 
terpreted what  the  man  said,  that  the  employ- 
ments of  the  theatre  led  to  hell.  The  thought 
haunted  him.  made  him  cease  frequenting  such 
amusements ;  he  became  attentive  to  the  concerns 
of  his  soul,  and  was  afterwards  a  preacher  of  the 
Gospel. 


175 

THE  OLD  FORMALIST  CONVERTED. 

A  poor  old  man,  when  a  cliild  of  three  years 
of  age,  had  been  taught  by  his  niuther  to  repeat 
a  prayer  every  night,  which  he  did  till  he  was 
seveiity-three  years  old;  and  not  a  little  proud  was 
he  to  say  that  he  had  not  omitted  saying  his 
prayers  every  night  for  seventy  years!  At  this  ad- 
vanced age,  it  pleased  God  to  afflict  him  severely; 
he  was  led  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  see  that  he  was 
a  poor  sinner,  who  had  been  living  in  the  form  of 
godliness,  but  had  never  felt  its  power.  He  was 
enabled  to  speilti  the  i'ew  last  years  of  his  life  in 
humlilc  dependence  on  the  grace  of  Christ ;  and 
.wljen  he  referred  to  himself  he  would  often  add, 
'•  I  am  the  old  man  who  said  his  prayers  for  seven- 
ty years,  and  yet  all  that  time  never  prayed  at  all." 

THE  PRAYING  LITTLE  GIRL. 

A  little  girl  in  London,  about  four  years  of  age, 
was  one  day  playing  with  her  companions.  Tak- 
ing them  by  the  hand,  she  led  them  to  a  shed  in 
the  yard,  and  asked  them  all  to  kneel  down,  as 
she  was  going  to  pray  to  God  Almighty ;  '•  But 
don't  you  tell  my  mamma,"  said  she,  '•  for  she 
never  prays,  and  would  beat  me  if  she  knew  that 
I  do."  Instead  of  keeping  the  secret,  one  of  her 
play-mates  went  directly  and  told  this  little  girl's 
mother,  who  was  very  much  struck,  but  for  the 
prisent  took  no  notice.  Some  time  after,  on  her 
going  in  doors,  her  mother  asked  her  what  she 
had  been  doing  in  the  yard ;  she  tried  to  avoid 
giving  a  direct  answer.  The  question  being  re- 
peated, the  answer  was  the  same :  when  her 
mother  having  promised  not  to  be  angry  with 
her,  and  pressing  the  inquiry  by  very  kind  words, 


176 

she  said,  "  I  have  been  praying  to  God  Al- 
mighty." "  But  why  do  you  pray  to  him  ?"  "  Be- 
cause 1  know  he  hears  me,  and  1  love  to  pray  to 
him."  "But  how  do  you  know  he  hears  you?" 
This  was  a  difficult  question,  indeed,  but  mark 
her  reply  ;  putting  her  little  hand  to  her  heart, 
she  said,  '•  Oh,  I  know  he  does,  because  there  is 
something  here  that  tells  me  he  does."  This  lan- 
guage pierced  her  mother's  heart,  who  was  a 
stranger  to  prayer  herself,  and  she  wept  bitterly. 
"  I  love  them  that  love  me ;  and  they  that  seek 
me  early  shall  find  me." 

USEFULNESS. 

On  the  day  of  his  death,  in  his  eightieth  year, 
Elliot,  the  "apostle  of  the  Indians,"  was  found 
teaching  the  alphabet  to  an  Indian  child  at  his 
bedside.  •'  Why  not  rest  from  your  labors 
now.?"  said  a  friend.  "Because,"  said  the  ve- 
nerable man,  '•  1  have  prayed  to  God  to  render 
me  useful  in  my  sphere  ;  and  he  has  heard  my 
prayer,  for  now  that  I  can  no  longer  preach,  he 
leaves  me  strength  enough  to  teach  this  poor 
child  his  alphabet." 

REMARKABLE    PRESERVATION. 

Sir  Thomas  Gresham,  who  built  the  Royal 
Exchange  in  London,  was  the  son  of  a  poor  wo- 
man, who,  while  he  was  an  infant,  abandoned 
him  in  a  field.  By  the  providence  of  God,  how- 
ever, the  chirping  of  a  grasshopper  attracted  a 
boy  to  the  spot  where  the  child  lay  ;  and  his  life 
was,  by  this  means,  preserved.  After  Sir  Thomas 
had,  by  his  unparalleled  success  as  a  merchant, 
risen  to  the  pinnacle  of  commercial  wealth  and 
greatness,  he  chose  a  grasshopper  for  his  crest ; 


177 

and  becoming,  under  the  patronage  of  Q,ueen 
Elizabeth,  the  founder  of  the  Royal  Exchange, 
his  crest  was  placed  on  the  walls  of  the  building 
in  several  parts,  and  a  vane,  or  weathercock,  in 
the  figure  of  a  grasshopper,  was  fixed  on  the 
summit  of  the  tower. 

RECONCILIATION. 

Two  good  men  on  some  occasion  had  a  warm 
dispute  ;  and  remembering  the  exhortation  of  the 
apostle,  "  Let  not  the  sun  go  down  upon  your 
wrath,"  just  before  sun-set,  one  of  them  went  to 
the  other,  and  knocking  at  the  door,  his  offended 
friend  came  and  opened  it,  and  seeing  who  it 
was,  started  back  in  astonishment  and  surprise ; 
the  other,  at  the  same  time,  cried  out,  "  Tlie  sun 
is  almost  doicn.^^  This  unexpected  salutation 
softened  the  heart  of  his  friend  into  affection, 
and  he  returned  for  answer,  '•  Come  in,  brother, 
come  in."  What  a  happy  method  of  conciliating 
matters,  of  redressing  grievances,  and  of  recon- 
ciling brethren. 

OMNISCIENCE  OF  GoD. 

A  father  said  to  his  son,  who  was  at  Sabbath 
school,  and  had  attended  to  what  he  heard  there, 
"  Carry  this  parcel  to  such  a  place."  "  It  is  Sab- 
bath," replied  the  other.  "  Put  it  in  your  pocket," 
replied  the  father.  "  God  can  see  in  my  pocket," 
answered  the  child. 

A  LIAR  TAKEN  AT  HER  WORD. 

In  the  year  1824,  a  woman  who  resided  near 
Wedmore,  was  taken  before  J.  Barrow,  Esq.,  a 
magistrate  of  the  county,  charged  with  having 
stolen  cider  from  a  neighborinsr  farmer.  During 
the  examination,  the  woman  wished  that  God 


178 

would  never  suffer  her  to  speak  again,  or  let  her  • 
go  home  to  her  family,  if  she  was  guilty  ;  the 
words  were  scarcely  spoken,  when  she  fell  to  the 
ground  speechless  !  She  was  conveyed  immedi- 
ately to  the  inn,  where  she  continued  for  some 
time  in  a  dreadful  state. 

BIBLE   MEN   NOT   COWARDS. 

The  captain  of  a  ship  says,  "  I  am  in  the  ha- 
bit of  reading  the  Scriptures  to  the  crew.  I 
have  suffered  much  lately  at  sea ;  having  been 
dismasted,  and  had  all  my  boats  washed  away,  a 
little  to  the  westward  of  Cape  Clear.  I  then  had 
an  opportunity  of  seeing  who  was  who  ;  and  I 
found  the  most  unprincipled  men  the  most  use- 
less and  the  greatest  cowards  in  this  awful  gale, 
and  the  Bible  men  altogether  the  reverse,  most 
useful  and  courageous." 

PRAYING  TO  THE   VIRGIN   MARY. 

The  following  prayer  was  offered  by  the  late 
king  of  France,  on  the  occasion  of  the  baptism  of 
his  young  grand-nephew,  the  Duke  of  Bordeaux: 
"  Let  us  invoke  for  him  the  protection  of  the  mo- 
ther of  God.  the  queen  of  the  angels  ;  let  us  im- 
plore her  to  watch  over  his  days,  and  remove  far 
from  his  cradle  the  misfortunes  with  which  it  has 
pleased  providence  to  afflict  his  relations,  and  to 
conduct  him  by  a  less  rugged  path  than  I  have 
had.  to  eternal  felicity."  Here  thej-e  is  no  God 
acknowledged  but  a' mere  creature;  and  if  such 
idolatry  shall  be  persevered  in,  it  is  probable  that 
the  young  prince,  if  spared  as  long  in  the  world, 
will  have  to  go  over  a  still  more  "  rugged  path" 
than  that  of  his  predecessor. 


170 

BENEFICIAL    EFFECTS   OF    CHURCH    DISCIPLINE. 

A  woman  who  had  once  and  again  been  guilty 
of  a  sin  wiiich  incntred  the  censure  of  the  church, 
in  the  way  of  public  rebr.ke.  presented  herself  be- 
fore the  parish  session,  that  she  might  be  taken  un- 
der discipline,  expecting  as  a  thing  of  course,  that 
she  would  have  to  stand  in  the  church,  and  that 
she  would  be  restored  to  church  privileges. 
But  appearing  to  the  minister  and  elder.^  to  be  a 
person  who  had  no  just  sense  of  the  evil  of  her 
sin,  and  exhibiting  no  signs  of  repentance,  she 
was  told  that  she  could  not  be  admitted  to  the 
privilege  of  the  discipline  and  censure,  which 
could  be  properly  applied  only  to  the  penitent, 
and  could  be  of  no  use  to  the  hardened  and  in- 
sensible, such  as  she  appeared  to  be.  She  went 
away  greatly  disappointed,  because  she  was  not 
to  be  rebuked,  as  she  expected.  She  was  in 
effect  though  not  in  form,  excommunicated. 

But  the  matter  did  not  rest  here.  The  sinner 
could  find  no  peace  in  her  conscience.  The  idea 
haunted  her  by  night  and  by  day  ;  she  began  to 
rellect  on  her  own  character  and  conduct;  she 
thought  she  must  be  a  wicked  creature  indeed, 
seeing  she  was  not  reckoned  worthy  so  much  as 
to  give  public  satisfaction  for  her  sin  ;  she  was, 
in  short,  brought  to  consideration,  and  deep  re- 
pentance ;  on  evidence  of  which,  she  was  restored 
to  church  communion,  and  she  maintained  a  good 
character  all  the  rest  of  her  life.  When  she  ap- 
plied to  the  session,  she  was  very  ignorant,  and 
could  not  read.  but.  when  awakened  to  a  sense 
of  her  guilt,  she  immediately  learned  to  read,  so 
as  to  be  able  to  read  her  Bible,  and  make  it  appear 
that  she  had  profited  by  the  merciful  discipline  of 
the  church 


180 

YOUTHFUL    PRAYER. 

A  Sabbath  school  boy,  in  London,  who  had 
been  well  taught,  received  a  visit  from  a  country 
cousin,  about  the  same  age,  and  it  was  agreed 
they  should  sleep  together.  When  they  went  to 
their  room,  the  Sabbath  school  boy  kneeled  down 
by  the  bed-side,  and  said  his  prayers ;  but  the 
country  cousin  stripped  off  his  clothes  and  jump- 
ed into  bed.  When  the  other  arose  from  his 
knees,  he  asked  his  cousin  how  he  could  think  of 
going  to  bed  without  saying  a  prayer.  He  re- 
plied, that  he  did  not  know  any  ;  however,  this  did 
not  satisfy  the  Sabbath  scholar;  he  made  his 
cousin  get  out  of  bed  and  repeat  the  evening 
prayer  after  him. 


THE   END. 


Princeton   TheoloqtCJil  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  01038  4305 


DATE  DUE 

MAY  li  a.^^ 

e 

,-- 

